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THE GRAND 



HA 



TIOML MILITARY ALLEGOM. 




IDE 



V 



OR THE- 



f fela-F fi-F-ggt 

' a ' ' ' ' ' an.' ' 



WRITTEN AND REVISED BY ^ *"* ZjS 'Qi* 

CHARLES S. BRODT, 

Sergeant and Chief'Bugler, isth N. Y. Cav. 



With Cast of Characters and Full Directions for Setting 
Stage and Scenery, Etc., Etc, 



N(WI ITCAM PIINT, CAOIllAC, HICH. 



-^^^^^t*^ 



1-^ 



Entered accordiug to A.ct of Congress on the second day of July, A. D. 

1885, by CHARLES S. BRODT, in the office of the 

Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



TMP92-008702 



<5SST OK GHSRMTERS. 

Mr. VincenI, A Northern gentleman of decided opinions. 
Mr. LaGrange, a Southern gentleman, of opinions just as 

decided. 
Harry LaGrange, a fiery young Southerner, afterwards 

Col. C. S. A. 
Lieut. Clay Vincent of West Point, afterwards Gen. U. S. 

A. 
Thad Vincent, brother to Clay, afterwards Col. U. S. A. 
Teddy Hoolihan, a sojer av 1812. afterwards the "Spy of 

Cedar Creek," 
Ben, Slave to LaGrange, afterward servant to Gen. Vin 

cent. 
John Wigand, Captain, later Major U. S. A. 
Henry Reilley, Soldier, later Captain U. S. A. 
R. C. Calder, Captain, later Major U. S. A. 
Squire Bangs, Justice at Kingston. 
Major General. 

Major Hall, Surgeon, C. S. A. 
Mollie LaGrange, betrothed to Clay Vincent. 
May Campbell, Mollie's friend. 
Mrs Vincent, wife to Mr. Vincent. 
Hattie Vincent, sister to Clay and Thad. 
Mrs. Hoolihan, wife to Teddy, 

DOUBLES. 

Mrs. Vincent as Mrs, Hoolihan. 
Hattie Vincent as May Campbell. 
Mr. Vincent as Major Hall. 
Squire Bangs as Major Wigand. 
Mr. LaGrange as Captain Calder. 
Major General as Captain Reilly. 



PROPERTIES. 

ACT. I— Scene 1— Papers for newsboy, spade for Ted 
Scene 2— Papers for Thad, cigar for Mr. Vincent, bundle 
of old clothes for Ben, old musket for Ted. Scene 5— 
Cobble stone, pipe, tobacco, matches, and bottle for Ted. 

ACT II— Scene 1— Flag. Scene 3— Bundle of old 
clothes for Ben, pen, ink, papers, letters, three photos, 
Scene 3 — Infantry bugle, blanket for soldier, chickens for 
Ben. Scene 4— Canteen for Ted, haversack and dark 
lantern for Ben, costume for sisters, bottles and bandages 
for sisters. 

ACT III. -SceneI— Crutches for Thad , cane for Clay 
letter for Ben. Scene 2— Pen, ink papers, letters and 
table, dispatch for orderly. Scene 3— Haversack, can- 
teen and messkit for Ben. Scene 4 — Cigars, bottle, 
and glasses on table, musket, amunition used in this scene 
and most scenes following, dispatch for orderly, bottle for 
General Vincent to treat Ted. 

ACT IV— Scene 1— Playing cards for rebel picket, 
market basket, cloth covered, stout stick, pass for Ted. 
Scene 3— Soldier's gauntlet, wine glasses and server for 
May, Song "O, yes I am a Southern girl'* for Mollie, band- 
age for Major Hall, Refreshments for Mollie. Scene 4 
—Cord for Rebel picket sergeant. Scene 5— Pen, ink 
and table, bottle and backet of rubbish under table, letter 
to Wigand for Major Calder. Scene 7— Stonewall for 
stage, signal flag for signal officer, and dispatch for rebel 
officer with flag of truce. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE 



OR THE SPY OF CEDAR CREEK, 



^••o<^o. 



ACT I. 

Scene 1. — Street, e. Neiosboy, r. 1 e. 

Here's your morning papers, New York Herald, Trib- 
une and Times. Laiest news from the south. Have a 
paper sir? 

Enter Mr. LaGrange and Harry. 

Mr. LaG- Tribune, my son. 

Boy. Five cents, thanks. Here's the latest news. Fort 
Sumter bom'barded by General Bsauregard. {Ex. Boy l. 

1 E.) 

Mr. LaG- {Looks at jinper a mmneiit.) Yes, Harry, it is 
indeed true. War now seems inevitable. Beauregard has 
opened his guns upon Sumter, and (reads) several car loads 
of iVlassachusetts troops while passing through Baltimore 
yesterday were attacked by the people. A. mob collected 
for the purpose, three soldiers killed and several badly 
wounded. {Folds pa-iier .) Weil Harry, there seems now 
to be no doubt that our people mean business and the 



2. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. i* 

south will rise in her might to throw off t'ic yoke of the 
northern abolitionists. 

Harry. Yes father, this matter is (erminatins: just as I 
had hoped and expected. We have borne with their in- 
sults as long as we can, and be mindful of our best inter- 
ests, and now the crisis has come, we will return home I 
suppose. 

Mr. LaG. Yes we certainly must, to return is our sim- 
ple duty, and we will not delay but go at once. {Ex. e. 
1 E.) 

Enter Tiiad V. and Henry Reilley, l. 1 e. followed by 
Ted iciih sjM'Ie and in ditchefs clothing. 

led. Say, bys, hev yes heard the news? 

Thad. O yes. 

JWl. Well sor, It jist makes me blud bile, bad scran to 
the devils, but bys if thim libils or seceshers havint put 
there fut in a bad mess thin I'me no Hoolihan. My grand- 
father fit an doid in auld Arin, I did in 1812, I am a Hooli- 
han from Killdare, and bys oime goin down to help clane 
out thim ribels if I be let, an I think I will, be hen ens I'll 
go anyhow. 

Thad. Good for you Ted, you are right, we would be 
unworthv the name of Americans were we not found true 
to the old flag in this time of peril. 

Henry B. You speak truly Thad, we would be untrue 
to ourselves should we remain idle in this moment of our 
country's peril, and not do all in our power to avert this 
impending stain upon our countrys honor. But come let 
us go to town, get the news and see what's going on. 

Ted. All right bys, go -on to town, oi've a short job ov 
ditchin to do thin oi'me ready fer the war, oile be down to 
night an oile^give them some of my idas of war. Oi have 
the auld musket oi carried in 181*?- an oi'll bring her down. 
Oi'U make a spache to the b'ys, begorra— oi'll stur them up 
wid me cxparience. {Ex. l. 1 e, Thad and Harry ^.i'. r. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 



Scene 11— Table c. Chairs, Mil. & Mks. Vincent, Hattie 
Y, — Chairs -R. for TjikTiY., 1j. for Mit. and Marry La- 
Grange. Ben slaiuU r. 2 e. 

Mr. V. Han nail, has Thad gone for the mail this morn- 
ing? 

Mrs. V. Yes, he and Heifry Reilley rode the colts to 
town quite early; it's time they were back. 1 wish they 
would come, I am so nervous every time Thad rides the 
gray colt. I expect everything is excitement in town. 

Mr. V. Have no fears for Thad, mother, but I do wish 
he would hurry; never io my life was I so anxious to hear 
the news as I am this morning. Are our visitors up yet? 

Mrs. V. Yes, Mr. LaGrange and Harry took an early 
breakfast and went to town And now, Jacob, I do hope 
vou will not discuss politics again vvith Mr. LaGrange; he 
is very decided in his opiuions, and you know how it is 
with yourself. 

Mr. V. Yes, mother, I understand all that, but I can- 
not listen in silence to the braggadocio of our haughty 
southerners, and I wo-n't. Why, I wouldn't hear such 
talk from my brother, much less my friends. 

3frs V. Well, you will do as you choose, of course, 
but the expression of your sentiments last evening caused 
Mr. LaGrange to retire very angry. 

Hattie V. Nevertheless, mother, father was right; if 
speaking in defense of our starry banner makes them an- 
gry, then let them get angry. Why, mother as much as I 
respect Mi-. LaGrange and Harry, dearly as I love my soon- 
to-be sister Mollie, should they seek to disrupt the Union — 
trail its flag in the dust— as their language intimates the}^ 
are ready and willing to do, I would spurn them from our 
doors and wish to never see them again, 

Mr. V. There, mother, is the right spirit, a true Vin- 
cent and the type of a true northern girl; I am proud of 
you Hattie. But hush, I see our friends have returned. 



SHERIDAN'^ RIDE. 



Fnter IVIb,. LaGrangb and H arky. 

Mr. LaG. Good morning ladies, good morniag. {Looks 
around — does not see his daughter.) Hatlie, wbere is Jkloliie? 

Hattie V. Ob, she's not far away; you know Clay only 
returned from West Point yesterday, and I suppose they 
are mak'ng further arraagments for the corning aU-impor- 
tant event. 

llr. LaG. Oh, yes, I understand. (Seated.) Well 
friend Vincent, the news from the south this morning is 
rather exciting 

3L\ V. I haven't seen the papeis yet. By the way, La- 
Grange, mother says we are soon to lose you and Harry. 

M^". LaG. Yes, we have concluded that, at this excit- 
ing time, we should be at home in our own state. At what 
time does the first train leave town? 

Mr. V. Well, this is a surprise, indeed, yet if you are 
determined to go, and on first train, you yet have some 
time to remain with us, as the first train does not leave un- 
til 4 p. M., and it's not yet (Looks at watch.) yes, it is past 
10. (To Jamie.) Jamie, I hear Thad at the gate; go out 
and tell him not to put the colts in the pasture yet, as I 
wish to drive to town this aflernoon. (Ex. Jamie l. 1 e.) 

Mr. LaG. Ob, put yourself to no trouble; it's not far 
and we can easily walk that distance. 
Enter Thad. 

Thad. Good morning Mr. LaGrange, ah, good morning 
Harry. I arose early and went to town to get the mail. 

Mr. LaG. Rather excitmg news, I learn 

2 had. There is, sir, I can tell you. Father, here are 
your papers (Crosses to Mrs. V. Seated.) Mother, I saw 
Mrs. Hoollihan as I returned. 

Mrs. V. Dear, good soul, is she well? 

Thad. Yes, but nearly trazed, fearing that Ted is going 
to the war. 

Mr. V. (Jumps up, excited, angry.) Confounded scoun- 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 



drels! Every mother's son of them ought to be shot. 

Mrs. V. Why, Jacob, what is the matter? 

Mr. V. Matter? matter enough! Hear this: General 
Beauregard has started the ball, began the bombardment 
of Fort Sumter, and threatens to level it to the water if 
Major Anderson and his little band of heroes do not lower 
our flag and surrender to him— the cur. 

Mr. LaO. Then, Hurry, that calls us home. I tell you 
Vincent, our people are in earnest this time. 

Thad. The treacherous dogs! But, then, they can't hope 
for success; twill be but a breakfast-spell to smother this 
trouble in its incipiency, 

Hmry. {Laughing.) Don't fool yourself Thad, I tell 
you that we of tlie south cannot nor will we, submit to be 
governed by the mud-sills of the north— no sir, never. 

Mr.LaG. Right you are Harry, and although I am not 
as bitter against the north as some of our leaders, yet I am 
free to say that we have been grossly insulted by those 
ultra abolitionists. 

Mr. V. Sir, there never was a more causeless revolt in 
the worlds history. The idea! that because a mere hand- 
ful of abolitionists, as you call them, object to your deal- 
ing in human chattels, object to your extending African 
slavery beyond lines where now confined— for you propose 
t® disrupt this Union, trail the old flag in the dust, and say 
to the world: '"We, the aristocracy of the south, of Amer- 
ica, propose to make cotton, King, and our slaves must 
raise it for us." Yet, sir, I say your haughty, aristo- 
cratic Southerners will yet be made to respect the free 
laborer and mechanic of the north before there can be last- 
ing peace between us. 

Mr LaO. O, yes, all your talk about those fanatics 
is well enough, but sir, do you know that the South are 
now, and have been willing to permit the clash of arms, of 



G SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

armies, if need be to settle the matter ? I tell you sir blood 
aloue can wipe out your irreparable insuits. 

Mr. V. Sir, our forefathers fled the mother country to 
escape the tyranny heaped upon them there, determined that 
in this land they would found an honest democracy, where 
under impartial laws all honest men might be happy, free 
and untrammeled— a right sir, purchased by the blood of 
men free m every sense of the word, under the leadership 
of our God-like Washington. 

LaO. Sir, there is a long existing enmity between 
the North and South that you can never eradicate. Tliink 
sir for a moment ! A rail-splitter in ihe Presidential chair, 
placed there by the votes of common laborers! {laughs.) 

Mr. V. Sir! Abraham Lincoln is a true brave man — 
a man of and for the people, fairly elected over the oppos- 
ing candidates, a man sir, of whose bravery you will yet 
have cause to know; and let your people dare attempt an 
open resistance to the majesty of the law, by the memory 
of the early patriots, we'll hang them higher than Haman. 
They are an nfernal lot of lunatics, lias it come to this, 
bf)rn and nurtured under the old flag they will be the first 
to turn against and rend it— stain it with fraternal blood ? 
Let me tell you sir, if this be true they will yet bitterly re- 
pent their action 

Harry. Mr. Vincent do not be to hasty in your conclu- 
sions; you appear to have a wrong idea of our people. I 
tell you we are in deadly earnest in this matter, and su- 
should your northern rabble dare to desecrate our sacred 
soil, you will be received on the point of the bayonet and 
pitched into new made graves like dogs- 

IlatUe. Father, why prolong this discussion that is pro- 
ducing so much bitter seeling ? Why not be friends the 
few remaining hours before iheir departure for their far 
away southern home ? 

Tliad. Harrry LaGrange, I am astonished at the base- 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 



uess of sentiments uttered by you. I did not dream of you 
being a traitor. Harry, reconsider your words, boldly re- 
solve for the right, stand bv the old flag, be the true man I 
had supposed you to be. 

Mr. V. LaGrangc, as dearly as love my boys, if one 
of them had uttered in my prcscT^ce, the sentiments just 
now uttered by that bantling of secession, (bufi) I would 
have smitten him to the earth at my feet, driven him from 
my sight and bade him never come near me again. I was 
ever delighted to receive visits from my friends, particular- 
ly so from you, we were old school mates, have been life 
long friends, but sir, from this day our friendship ceases, 
and the roof that shelters my family shall not shelter a 
traitor, therefore leave this house. Go (bus.) 

LaO. Very well sir, very well. We will not trouble you 
longer. Ben go tell Miss Mollie to pack her trunk as we 
leave this unhospitable house as soon as possible. {Ben 
hesitateii.) 

Harry. Go on you black rascal, or I'll take the hide ofT 
of you. 

Mrs. V. Mr. LaGrange and Harry, I do regret this bad 
turn of affairs. I am sure when Jacob gets over his pet he 
will retract his hasty words. 

Thad. Father retract! why mother, Father will do noth- 
ing of the kind. {All come doicn stage.) We have no apologies 
to make Harry LaGrange. The friendly tie that once bound 
us is now severed. You -are a traitor. There is no room 
for you here. Leave the house. 

Harry ( Very angry.) To the dogs with your apologies 
or excuses, we will neither of them. Thaddeus Vincent, 
close friends as we have been, I now hate you, with a deep 
and loathing hatred. Yes sir we go, but remember I will 
be avenged for this deadly insult. 

Thad. No more of this. Out of this house, or I'll kick 
you out, dog that you are. Go. {bus.) 



8. • SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Mr. LaO. Come, come Harrison, my son, stay your hot 
southern blood, be a gentleman, whMtever others may be. 
Mr. Vincent, I am sorry this bitterness has sprung between 
us. We were such friends from boyhood. I had hoped 
our friendship would continue all through declining, years. 
Our families were soon to be united, but sir all is at an end. 
We go and at once, Farewe 11. {ex. Harry & LaG. l.) 
Enter Ben. r. 1. e. 

Ben. I golley massa Vincen', dis yeah racket jes' makes 
me sick. I dunno what dis niggah's gwine toe do if dey 
dun take me bake toe ole Varginnie, I'ze dun gone. Dey'll 
jes' tan de hide off'n me, sho. 

Mr. V. Well, well, Ben. I fail to see how they can take 
you if they can't find you as they leaye. 

Ben. Dat am a fac' massa Vincen' an dis niggah's gwine 
toe hide, an' w'en dey's dun gone dis niggar's free, sho. 
You won' tell wheah I'ze gwine will you massa ? 

M?' V. No, no Ben, you can trust me. Go. now, 

{Ex. Ben. r. 1 e.) 

Mrs. V, Why father, this matter is so mystifying, what 
will the neighbors say ? 

Mr. V. {bus.) I don't care a continental what they say. 

{Dinner hell rear.) 

Mrs. V. Well dinner is ready. Come father and chil- 
dren. Excuse me, 1 must go and see poor Mollie before 
she goes. I expect they will dine in town, they are so 
angry. 
- Thad. Well let them be angry, and good riddance to 
them. Mother, excuse me from dinner please, I am too an- 
gry to eat. I am going to town, I shall not return until 
late, as there is a war meeting to-night, and as Clay got his 
commission as Colonel this morning, perhaps I can assist 
him in getting men to enlist. I'll get supper in town, 
mother. {Ex. r. 1 e. Family Ex r. 1 e ) 



«HERIDAN'!S RIDE. 



Scene III.— Clone street in 1. enter Clay left 1 e, Mollie 

K. 1. E. 

Mollie. O Clay, Ben has just informed me of this un- 
happy affair, and father has ordered me to prepare to leave 
on this afternoon's train, and O, you only came yesterday 

Clay. You are not one half as much pained as I am 
Mollie, yet my father was right, in pare at least. I shwuld 
have done the same, no doubt, had your father expressed 
in my presence such base sentiments as I understand he 
uttered in their presence this morning. 

Mollie. But Clay, you musb remember we are from the 
South, and you do not comprehend how we are i)rovoked 
by you Northern people. 

Clay. 'Tis more because you entertain such feelings 
against us. 

Mollie. Is it natural we should like a people who inaug 
urate expeditions like John Brown's, and send them 
among us to invite our slaves to murder and commit 
wrongs far worse ? ■*• 

Clay. Mollie I have endeavored to avoid these subjects 
when speaking with you ; but the true citizen of these 
United States knows but one government and one flag, and 
if your father and brother entertain views different from 
these, and at this time, they are no friends of mine. 

Mollie. Were the South the aggressors and striving like 
you, you would think differently then. 

Ckiy. Then would I too be wrong. 

Mollie. You certainly do not sympathize with this feel- 
ing which is making such progress in the north. ? 

Clay. I sympathize with any movement which is to 
combat this monster Secession. 

Mollie. Then you would lend your courage and your 
sword to subjugate my people ? 

Clay. My courage, my sword and my life belong to m}' 
country. 



JO. SHERIDAN'S HIDE. 



Mollie. Is this the love you bear us ? Have all your 
avowiils come to this ? You, who plighted me your 
love, vowing you wouid i>o to me a life's protector. You 
would do all this ? 

Clay. You do not uaderstand — 

Mollie. Yes sir, I -lo. I understand perfectly. 
You would be the husband who would vow before high 
heaven to be a woman's protector, and then, at the bidding 
of a few fanatics wantonly wrong her people. 

Clay Mollie, 'tis useless for me to tell you how much 
I have loved you, how my whole existence would be de 
voted to your happiness; and O, what a struggle between 
my duty and my love for you. 

Mollie- I believed you loved me, believing which I gave 
you my whole heart, for you were more to me than all the 
world beside; our vows were plighted, requiring naught but 
heavens approval to make us man and wife. My word is 
given and I should not ask to make it otherwise, but to 
be the wife of him, who would invade our homes and mur- 
der my people, never ! 

Clay. Mollie, I am a soldier, and when even death 
itself stands in my path, I must not stand aside; 'tis my 
profession to bare my breast at my country's call and with 
It shield from insult, her hon@r. That I love you, you 
are indeed assured, but without a blush I own I love my 
country better. If to wear a loyal lieart and sacredly per- 
form the duties for which my government has fitted me 
degrades me in your eyes, then I release you. To hope is 
useless. No power on earth can swerve me from my duty, 
or for one moment to force me turn my back upon the old 

flag. . 

Mollie. I accept your generous offer. I can never bo 
the wife of my people's executioner. 

Clay. If your people fall, it will be the death of suicide, 
regretted alikcT'by us all. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 11. 

Mollie. We do not ask your sympathy sir. We have 
learned to hate you. We will have a government of our 
own. 

Clay. If you will cast your lot with those misguided 
people then henceff ith our paths lie wide apart. 

Mollie. My path sir, leads me towards my southern 
home. It may he one beset with danger, privation and 
woe. I am a southern woman, and shall not hesittite to 
take it. 

Clay. And my path is where my covntry's flag may 
lead. It may be to danger, perhaps to death, but never to 
dishonor. Hut these are idle words {Takes her liand.) 
Mollie, if we are to part, let it not be in anger. I believe 
3'ou are governed by a sense of duty, and I ask for the 
same consideration for myself. If I have loved you — 

Mollie. {Withdraioing her hand.) You never have loved 
me. 

Clay. I have, and do so still. But even to possess your 
love, which I prize above all treasures, I can not, I will not 
prove a traitor to my country. 

Mollie. Then we are to be strangers V 

Clay. If to be friends I am to forsake the old flag, {hesi- 
tates), yes. 

Mollie. Then sir, farewell. {E.i\ to r.) 

Clay. Farewell. {E:vtoj,. biis.) 

Scene III. — Recruiting. Plain chamber in 2 or 3, table 
L., Sqiuke r., of table, Pres rear of table, Thad aiid 
Henry Rieley, Villagers. Paper, pen and ink on table. 

Enter Teddy Hoolihan with musket, r, 1 e. 

led. Good evenin' gintlemin. good avenin' b'ys: I jist 
heard ye war goin' to hev a war matin' here to-night, and 
so I thot I wud .jist cum down and jes' give some uv my 
idas uv war. ISow b'ys these are war meetins is all roight 



1-2. SHEKIDAN'8 RIDE. 

hut Mr. Prisidint what we want is men to foight. If these 
cusses uv ribils is goiug to busht up the counthry. yur 
spachofion won't sthop 'um. There's only wun way to du 
that same thing. I till yur sor yez will hev to 'got down 
yur shootin' iorns, and cum out an' foight, so yez will. 

All Bully for Mr. Hoolihau. 

Ted. My Grand'ther fit a doid ler ould Irin; so did I 
in 1812 here in America. Oi'm his namesake, an yes' don't 
want to forgit me name's Terrance, and I am a Hoolilian. 
{bring c/iui to an order arms) an be Hevins we're here ! I 
hev'nt got as much larnin' as some of yez, but it don't take 
much fur to show me if ye feller is goin' to lick them se- 
oesshers, yer have got git outn't yer Sunday close and the 
wimmin as got to go to scrapin lint (Cheers.) If yer 
mean what yer are sayin', yer yellin', blowin an' hoopin' 
her up manes war, blud and thunder, and funerals and all 
the that sort uv thmg, but sor, if yer don't think it'll pay 
let the ould Union sloide, but if she is gomg to be saved, 
that's the way we hev got ter do it. and Mr. Prisidint yer 
hev got to do It now. I say yer hev got to cum out and 
foight. I am wun uv yer ould fashioned minit min 
I am, and I'm here fur bizness so I am. 

One of mm. Yes, I see you've brought your gun 
along 

Ted. Arrah man! But ain't she a daisy. That's one 
uv yer ould 1813 shooters, tha'u is. 

Man. {laUng it.) Let's see it Ted. 

Ted. Thar she is sor, and ye'll foind her a daisy. 

Man. {Examininy it.) O, go on Ted, this is of modern 
make, percussion lock and rifled barrel. 

Ted. "Will sor, an' what uv that. Didn't I git a new 
lock and barrel on her ? O, she's al shtraight, she's a 
dorlin'. 

Man. Why you said this was the gun you used in the 
war of 1812, yet it all new, lock, stock and barrel. That's 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 13. 

too thin Ted. (Rands to Ted.) 

Ted. What's that yur say in'! {men are laaghmg.) What 
are yer all laughin' at ? See here, there's the same oiild 
muzzle any how, an' be gorrah, she's a daisy, an' we're 
here. 

{Fife and druni heard. Enter Squire followed hy Lieu- 
ten VNT Colonel Vincent. 

Squire B. Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Lieutenant 
Colonel Clay Vmcent, son of our old neighbor. He lately 
arrived from West Potnt. 

Ted. Three cheers for Kurnel Vincent. {Cheers.) 

Squire B He lias just received his commission and is here 
to laise a regiment among old neighbors and friends. I hope 
we won't be backward at this time of our country's peril. 

All. A speech ! a speech ! 

Clay. My fellow citizens the time for speeches is past. 
Our Southern brothers have now appealed to the sword, 
and as men worthy to inherit a government like ours, we 
have no other course but to— 
{Interrupted hy Teday, who goes forward and takes his hand) 

Ted. Jist whot Oi've been tellin' 'em Clay. Jist whot 
Oi've been telllin' 'em. All this talk about compromise, 
constitooshinalty and Nebraska bill, don't amount to 
shucks. I say sor we've got to foight, an' Clay, if Oi've 
got to have a boss Oi'm goin' to take you. Ye remimber 
me I 'spose. I kuowd ye when yer want so holgh. Moy 
Grand'ther lit an' doid in ould Erin, I_ at Lundy's Lane, 
here in America, me name's Terrence. Oi'me a Hoolihan, 
an' be jabers we re here. 

Col. V. Do you mean you want to enlist ? 

Ted Uy coorse Oi do. uv coorse Oi do. Ould Abe 
want's sojers, an' be hevins he's got to hcv 'em. We 
musht al cum up th(; rick, hay or no ha3^ {Going to table.) 



14. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

But Oi did'nt cum here to sphout. I came here to lisht 
so 01 did. {Busi/iesfi loith 'imperi<on the table ) Come squhire 
Where's the papers, bring em out. If ye'll jist put 
down Terrence Hoolihan, wid room fur me saw buck, 
Oi'll make me mark an' be a sojer agin in jist a minit. 

Squire B. Mr. Hoolihan, while we admire your patroit- 
ism, we fear you are most too old a man to endure tli(^ 
fatigues of a soldier's life. 

led. What are ye sayiu' Squhire, what are ye sayin'? 
Too ould is it ? Be the howlly smoke. (Lays down gun 
fakes off c^at) Cum out here some uv ye youngster, an' Oi'll 
make a thriangle uv yur body's on the flure. Squhire do 
ye see thim hands. They're as hard as bone. Ivery dollar 
they iver earned belongs to me, septin' that brindle cow 

that dakin chatid me out uv lasht fall. Oi've a little 

led shanty up thrack ; 'taint as grand as yer's, but sor it 
has sheltered Maggie an me for twiuly odd year's, an' 
whin Maggie tould me about this matin', says Oi to her : 
Mrs. Hoolihan, ye'll hev to attind to the pigs an' the milk- 
in, to night. Its to bad if thim divils are strivin to 
breack up a concern where a man can own as dacent a 
house as ours, and be his own mashter. Oi'm goin' roight 
straight down an lisht so Oi am. An Mtiggie says, says 
she : 'Roight ye are Ted, go on. an' Oi'll see to the pigs.' 
An' sor, we're iiere. 

Col. V. Then you've coine down to enlist? 

Ted. Av course I've came down to lisht. Maggie'll 
have to split her own kindlers until them devils are licked 
anyhow. 

Squire B Suppose you postpone the matter until to- 
morrow Mr. Hoolihan. 

Ted. To-morrow sor, to-morrow; no sor, scratch her 
down now, amajitly. Thunder an ounds man, if oi shud 
go home now without lishtin, I'll hav to go in thro a windy 
an cover me head mid the bed slates. Why Squire, Maggie 



SHERIDAN'S RIT3E. 15. 

ud be ashamed av me. Oi am going to lisht now without 
any more belarny about it aither. An if oi don't stick to 
the auld flag, tben oi'me no Hoolihan. 

Col. V. {Shakinfi his hand.) Good for you Teddy there's 
xwy hand and we'll sticl; to each other. 

Ted. Come squire {He icrites Ted'n mame.) Here Colonel 
jest hould me gun a minit. {JIakss Ids mark.) You know 
Squire, oi write nic name as — does his, and remember this 
one is moine. 

Col. V. All right Teddy your name stands first on the 
list and you are a Corporal. 

.Squire B. Gentlemen I propose three cheers for Corpo- 
ral Hoolihan, the first volunteer from Kingston, Hip, Hip, 
Hurrah. , 

Ted. I say Squire don't ye think a little more sinnin 
and less hollerin wud git more sojers? {All hesitate.) Come 
up ye fellos, come up and lisht. 

Col. V. I hope after this noble example there will bo no 
hesitatmg. {A hoy depfi up and signs the roll.) See this boy 
gentlemen. {All come up.) I knew you were all right, if a 
start was made. 

Ted. Ye see Colonel, Maggie and me av had ruther bad 
luck in the childher line, we only got two b'ys, they're out 
west, an Oi 'spose they lishted before this, but sor, if we'd 
only knoed this thing were cumin twinty years ago, we'd 
been ready for 'em an begorra I'd went out as Captain uv 
a cumpany of Hoolihans. {Alllaiigh.) 

Col. V. Now gentlemen, if you will fall into line I will 
administer the oath {To Ted.) Corporal form the men 
in line. 

Ted. Fall in min, fall in here, an don't ktipe lookin 
down at the ground as if ye were ashamed uv what ye ware 
a doin, be the powers, but ye'd ought to be prouder than 
turkey cocks so ye aught. 

Ccl. V Now hold up your right hands 



10. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Ted. Hauld on Colonel, hauld on, (Gets giifi.) Oi guess 
we'd better sware in the auld man killer, fur ye can't tell 
who to trust now days. 

Scene V. - Exterior HooUJians House, door c. bench each 
side of door. Mrs. H. standing in the door, a stone on stage of 
right. 

Mrs. II. Pears to me Ted (mglit to be home before this; 
that's the trouble wid him, whin he goes to town, he never 
knows whin to come back, I shouldn't wonder if he'd-- 

Ted. (From left intoxicated.) Hurrah fur the war, hur- 
rah fur 1812. Oi'me a regular old fashioned minit man, 
Oi am. an Oi'm a regular— {Stops on >seeing Mrs. H. and 
tries to appear sober.) 

Mrs. II. Why Ted, Oi'm shame av you 01 Iriycn't seen 
ye tight smce St. Patricks day. 

7hl. Toight mem, is ittoight Oi am, ye are sayin. what- 
ever ye do Maggie don't vex me, fer Oi'm a Corplar, hur— 
[Checks himself ] But Maggie Oi've done it, Oi've lishted. 
[With dignity, taking her hand.] Margret ye are Mrs. Corp- 
lar Hoolihan, ]iuv—[ChecIcs himself again.] 

Mrs. II. Well that is some excuse [Ple^ised] for as much 
as Oi hate whiskey, oi'de rather see ye stavin drunk an true 
l)lue, than sober an' a traitor like auld di-acon 

Ted. Traitor madame, a traitor!' be herrens but ye had 
lietter go kind av aisy, mam. Oi'd have ye to know there 
niver was a traitor in the Hoolihan family. . (Staggers, tries 
to shoulder gun, brings up against side of house.) An be gol- 
lers Oi'm one of 'em, an we're here. 

Mrs. II. Wal yes, I should say you was here. 

Ted. (Goes across stage, sees stone, jricks hp throios across 
stage. ) Well, Oi'U bet that's a hundred times Oi've stumbled 
over that devilish stone. {Approaches Maggie, smiling.) 
Marget Corpler, Mrs. Corpler Hoolihan, {she turns away,) 
but then if ye are mad about it. Oi'U resign an won't go. 

Mrs. II. Well wlnn are ye going? 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 17. 

led. To-morrow, Maggie, to-morrow. We're goin to 
to drill a wlioile an thin we're going to foight, hur- 



ra! 

Mrs. II. Come, Ted, let's go in ; the neighbors will see 
you. 

Ted. {Cavies to carry.) Nabers! and who in the debil 
cares fer the nabers, bad luck to thim when they wont lisht. 
Does ye think Oi'nie shamed cause Oi'me lished? No sar. 
I PuU hat on muzzle of gun, swings it. ) Hurra, hurra fur 
Gineral Jackson, hurra fur 1812! Hurra, Marget, hurra! 

Mrs. II. Come Ted, lets go in. 

Ted. Mrs. Hoolihan {looks under bench.) did ye see any- 
thing av me hat? 

Mrs. 11 Yes, ye old fool, its on the end of yer gun. 

Ted. {ScratcJdng liix head, looks difjidjied.) Oi know'd 
it was there all the toime. Oi ment me oilier one. 

Mrs. II. Why Ted, you hav'nt any other one, 

Ted. Well Oi mane the one I'me going to have. {Stands 
(Jim against side of houne, near bench.) Well Oi guess Oi'll 
hay a smoke. (He siU on one bench Mrs. II. on the other, 
gets his pipe Jills it from box, put pij)e in his pocket, gets match 
tries to liyht it on sleeve, then under bench, bench tips, he falls 
tries to get up, groans. Mrs. II to his side. 

Mrs. II. Oh. Ted are yehurted? 

Ted. {Sits up, rubs his leg.) No, but Oi guess Oi've 
broke me leg. {She tries to assist him.) Go way, woman, 
{Reaches for gun.) go on away, what in the world do ye 
know about war? An if ye wanted that Ixinch why didn't 
ye take it? {Gets up.) 

Mrs. II Why, Ted I didn't want it. 

Ted. Well, if Oi'de know'd that, Oi wouldn't got off on 
it. 

Mrs. II. {Looks jj.) Come Ted, lets go in, here comes 
the Squire. {Goes in.) 



18. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Squire B. BiUer h. 1 B, stops mrpiised.) Why Ted you 
beat me. 

Ted. Yes Sqiioire. ye see the b'ys wanted me to stop an 
drink mid 'em but ye see Oi refused. No man has a roight 
to drink 'ceptin on the 4th of July an Pathricks day. But 
Oi'me sorry Squire to see ye're a little moight sprung. 

Squire B. Oh, I guess you are mistaken, Teddy. 

Ted. Well may be Oi am but Oi smelled whiskey some 
where, but may be you've been taking a bath fer rheumat- 
ics. 

Squire B. Well, Teddy (,<7oi;i^) I hope you will come 
back all right. 

Ted. {Grasps Ms hand.) Thank ye Squoire. {Brings gun 
in range of Squires head. He dodges. Ted keeps hold of his 
Jiand.) A.f course Oi'll come back all right. Oi'me gittin 
ready now to go off. Good bye Squire. {SJuikes Ms hand 
molentXy, lets qofaMs.) 

Squire B. Why Ted you are most to demonstrative 
{Goes to led.) Let me help you up? * 

Ted. Oh, go on away mid ye. {After several attempts 
gains Ms feet.) Ye see Squoire, Oi'm a little e.xcited over 
leaving my family. {Supports Mmsclf inth gun. ) But 
Squoire, 'we're here. {Reaches for hisjuo/d loses balance falls 
against him.) Oi-Oi want you to see about Margit, Squire. 
You old chaps take care of the wimmin, an sor. we'll do 
the foightin. {Lets go Ms hand,) Good by Squoire, good 
bye. {Ted conies to a shoulder. Squire has to dodge to get clear 
of gun and Ex. 1,. 1 K. Kape an eye on Mrs. Hoolihan, 
Squoire, hurra, fer— {Looks ai-ound finds hriise\f a\one.) Oi 
guess Oi'll go in now. Hurra! 

Mrs. H. {Inside.) Teddy, Teddy, 

Ted. I'm cumin' Maggie, I'm comin'. [Sings.) My 
heart is braked God knows it is, since Teddy is goin' to the 
war. {Ex'doar. Curtain.) 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 19. 

ACT II. 

Scene I — Wood in 8. Soldiers _?>re^a?*wi^ for parade. 
Assembly sounds l. Eenter Ted. as Sergeant-major, l. 1 e. 

Ted. Fall in min, fall in fer parade. {They fall in each 
side of stage, sergeant and color guard near guides on the line. 
Roight driss, back on the lift. Cum up on the cinther! 
Frunt ! Order arms ! {Enter Thad. Vincent as Adju- 
tant takes pkice on r\ght. Enter Colonel Vincent takes 
place c. facing color Sergeant.) 

Adjt. Attention batallion! Carry arms ! {Walks dmon 
and up center, ahouts.) Present arms ! {Abouts.) Sir, the 
parade is formed. 

Col. V. Take your post sir. {Adjt. takes post R. of Ser. 
Col. Vincent draws sword.) Carry arms ! Order arms ! 
Parade rest ! {Enter r. 1 e., Mr. Vincent, Mrs. Vin- 
cent and Hattie, Mr. V. carrying flag. Col. faces to 
front, Mr. V. Imnd^ flng to Hattie, goes with Mrs. V. 
doton to v.. of CoU/r Guard, facts l., Col. l. c, Hattie c. 
facing audience sings Star Spangled Banner. 

Ilattic. Colonel Vincent, in behalf of the ladies of this 
c\iy, etc., {gives flag to Col.) 

Col. v. Ladies, in behalf of the regiment which I have 
the honor to command, etc. What say you comrades? 

Onines. We will protect it with our lives. 

Col. V. Color guard attention ! To front and center 
march. Halt. Sergeant I place this flag in your hands. 
See that you guard it well. To your post, march! Halt! 
/Vbout face ! Order Arms ! Parade rest ! Three cheers 
for our beautiful flag and the fair ladies who presented it. 
Attention batallion : Carry arras! Right face. Forward 
column left, march ! {Regiment mttrch offh. 1 e. Parting 
of Vincent,^.) 

Scene II. — At Wahington. plain chamber in 2. Col. V. 
at table c, pe?i, ink, paper, seals letter. Camj) at r. 

Col. Y. Well, 'icre we are in camp of instruction, and 



20. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

lots of instructing to be done. {Rap at r. 1 e.) Come in ! 
{Enter Ben covered with hay seed, shy and afraid.) Why 
BeiT! You here ? How on earth — why I had supposed 
you were with father, way back on the farm, What under 
the sun are are you doing Jiere ? How did you get here ? 
Ben, {Stammering) Wa- ma- wall ma- massa Clay, I 
thought may be you would le'me go wid you all. 'Cause 
you see, when I cum to remembeah dat my ole Dinnah is 
wey back dar in ole Ver^iany, an' de chillin' 'long wid her. 
An' mebbe I could git to see 'em and brwing 'em up Norf. 
an' dey wouldn' be slabes no mo'. An' I got in de cars 
'long wid de bosses an' hid in de fodder, an' O, Massa 
Clay, you won' sen' me back. We do all wan' to be free 
to-gedder so, so bad. {Weeps.) 

Col. V. Well, well, never mind Ben ; I wou't send you 
back. You may stay with me, and as you say yon may 
find your family. We will send them north if we do. 
They will be free enough with father. 
Ben. Tank you messa, tank you. De Lord bress you 
Col. V. Now Ben, to begin, you may get my sword and 
clean that up a little, and the first thing after dinner saddle 
my horse and bring him here. 
Beu. All right massa, all right sah. {li/x. r. 1 e.) 
Col. V. Poor old Ben. O, Slavery, thou art the curse 
of our country ! God grant that this war will forever wipe 
out this foul stain from the face of our fan- land. {Looks 
ai photos.) Dear mother and Hattie. And Mollie, will I 
ever see you again ? O, well, I must not be sentimental. 
{Looks at imtch.) Well, well I must have a little rest. 

{Lies down on sofa, scene closes slowly .) 

Scene III— Wood in 3, Inspection and Review. 

Enter Ben k. 1 e. 

Soldier Hello old ginger bread, where did you come 
from V Whose nigger are arc you ? 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 21. 

Ben. {Frightened.) I, Ise massa kunnel's mggah sah, 
an' I come from massa kunnel's foddab's house sah. 

Sokiier. Well, can you give us a song. 

Ben. I, I can't sing massa sojer man. 

Soldier. Can't sing eh, we'll see if you can't sing. We 
can't haye a coon around headquarters that can't sing. 
Are you goin' to sing ? 

Ben. {Trembling icith fear) 'Deed I can't massa, 'deed 
I can't. 

Soldier. Get a blanket boys, we'll see if he'll sing. {A sol- 
dier gets a blanket. ) ( They toss Ben. ) 

Ben. I'll sing massa sojers, I'll sing. Leastwise I'll try. 
{Sings. AsseirMy sounds off left.) Enter Ted. i.. 1. e, 

Ted. Fall in, fall — (Sees blanket and Ben.) What's 
bin goin' on here ? Yez have been throwin' this poor nager 
in a blanket, hev yees. Ye rascals. Whose been doin' 
this bisness ? 

Soldier. I just wanted to have a little fun sergeant, that's 
all. 

Ted. Fun yes wanted, is it. Well be herrins its fun 
yez '11 git, afther parade, ye'll carry a log so ye will, ye 
blackguards. I'll see if we're goin to have discipline or 
not. The oidea ov yez abuzin' a poor auld nager ov color. 
I'll have ye know who ye hev here, an' sor, me name is 
Hoolihau. Fall in! 

Enter Thad as Adjutant. 

Thad. Come, come sergeant-major, why aren't the men 
in line ! 

Ted. Fall in, fall in min ! an' don't be shlow about it 
aither. Attention! Guides on the line, roight driss ! Steady 
on the cinther, easy. Front! 

Adjutant talies j^^ace right, enter Col. V. takes place. 

Sir parade is formed, Take post. Carry arms. {Enter 
Gen. l. 1. E.) Present arms. (Col. V salutes.) 

Oen. Colonel I wish to inspect your regiment. 



22. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Col V. Carry arms ! Order arms ! Prepare for inspec- 
tion. (Gen inspects from r, *o l. 

Col. V. Open boxes ! 

Gen. (Inspects boxes la. to n.) Colonel you will march 
your regiment in review. 

Col. V. Attention battalion! Carry arms ! Right- 
face. 

Oen. Colonel. I have just received orders to report with 
my brigade to Gen McClellan at Yorktown. We leave day 
after to-morrow. You will govern yourself accordingly. 
I now go to visit the 22nd and 9th and will bid you good 
afternoon. 

Col. V. Good afternoon general. {Ge7i. and staff exit 
11. 1 E. Close in.) 

Scene IV. Wood 3, gas lote. Bull Run Battle-field, sol. 
diers dead and ivouiuled, over stage rear. Thad Vincent /im/> 
Colonel, r. e., near lights, supporting head of Coia. V. now 
General, on hu knee, looking for signs of life. Enter Tkd. 
L. 2. E., and Ben canteen icith him, wlio has dark lantern 
groping among the loounded. Finally Ted discovers Col. V. 

Ted. Hush Ben, see there, there is the Colonel now. 
{Goes to him, discovers the Qen., starts. Why Colonel Thad, 
IS he dead? (Ben to l. hands clasped in awe.) 

Col. Tlmd. No Ted, not yet, but I fear the worst. We 
met with fierce opposition and he led the charge on the 
stone wall and across the ravine himself. We had just car- 
ried the position when he was struck by a piece of a shell 
He has fainted from loss of blood. Here Teddy, hold his 
head I'll get a bandage of the Sisters. TY.iy takes Col.'s 
place. Col rises as if faint.) 

Ted. Great Heavens Colonel, was ye wounded too ? 

Col. 'Iliad. Yes,- sergeant, I got a minnie ball in my 
hips, but its nothing. We must see to him. {Faints faWs 
into arms of Ben. Gen. moves and opens h\s eyes, \ooks 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 



into arms of Ben. Gen. moves and opens his eyes, looks 
around. Ted. is canngfor him. 

Qen. Teddy, water. (Gives him from canteen.) Where 
is Th— ad. 

Ted. O, sor, he's here all roight. an' I Oi'm so glad yure 
not — {Gen. faints.) Oh! My God, they are both kilt en- 
toirely, {pus.) Ben lays Col. on stage, raises hands in sup- 
plication on knees. Enter sisters of mercy to r.1 e., canteens 
bottles and bandages, lableax. Goddess of Liberty weeping. 
Slow curtain.) 

ACT III. 
Scene I. — Home of Vincents. Hie. heroes convalescent. 
Stand c. , witJi 3 cJtair, easy chair for Gen. Sofa r. r. 
Hattie on sofa. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent at stand. Chair 
far Thad l. Gen. and Col. in unifm-m 

Enter Thad on crutches, l. 1. e. 

Gen. Good morning, Thad how do you feel this morn- 
ing ? 

Col. T. O, much better, I can walk all right now with- 
out these, for-a-Iong time-means of locomotion; but my 
hips arc not strong yet Jind I must use these things for a 
lew days. 

Mrs, V. My sou, you must not be too soon about dis- 
carding your means of locomotion, as you call them. You 
iiave had one set back, and you know what the Dr. said. 

Gen. O, never fear for Thad mother, he is all right now 
or soon will be, the doctor said yesterday he could discard 
his wooden limbs, but be careful for a few days yet. He'll 
be all right in a month. I'm all sound again, and — 

Hattie. {Interrupting.) O, yes, you are all sound again 
Why father was all tired out when we returaed from 
town yesterday. Why sir, {to Gen.) if it tires you so much 
to ride Flora to town and back, what in the world would 
you do in the field again, galloping over the country on 
your charger with your staff at your heels. 



34. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Mr. V. No, no, boys you can't return for a time yet, 
you are not strong enough to endure the exposures of the 
field for two months at least. 

Gen. Yes, you would keep us here for all time if you 
could. I must return to my command. Major Wigand 
writes that the boys of the old Eighteenth are very impa- 
tient for our return. No hurry about Thad for a few days 

but I must— 

(Ben sings outside lustily. ) 
Somebody stole my dog, 
I wish dey'd bwing him back. 
He drobe de big hogs obah de fence, 
De ittle ones fru de crack. 

{Enter l. 1 e.) Good mornin' massa, mornin' missus. 
(Makes very precise military how.) Massa Gmer'l heah's a 
lettah what comed from mistah Sargcant Hoolihan sor. 
{Hands letter to Gen'l, salutes retires back.) 

Qen. {Looks at envelope, opens, reads.) BrigidareGineral 
Vincent. Gen'l and Sor.— Oi want to say to ye sor, that 
if ye and Col. Thad. don't come an assume kommand av 
ye'rs respective kommands we'll all resign sor, an come 
home ourselves sor. Yours wid respict. Terrence Hooli 

han, Sergt, Major av the 18th P. S,— Oi saw Gen'l 

McClennan tother day. 

Where in the world did he learn to write. To Tluid.) 
How much McClellan thought of him. 

Ben. {From l. 1. e. w'mg.) Why massa Gmeral you 
know you learned me and I learned him. 

Qen. Oh, that's it. Well you go and see if breakfast 
is'nt ready. {Ex. Ben.) You see that 1 must return. I 
shall go on first train Monday morning. {All surprised, Ex 
Ben L. 1 E. 

Ben. Breakfist am ready. 

Mrs. V. Well, lets us go to breakfast. {Exit omnes.) 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 25. 

HcenkIL— In the field near SJiennadoah valley. Plain 
Chamber in 2. 2 able c. Pen, ink letters. Enter Col. Thad 

R. 1 E. 

TliAd. Letters from home? 

Oen. V. Yes, with Mollie's picture. Hattie sent it. 
{Hands Mm letters.) Hattie says mother is wor- 
ried to death; always talks about us, she cannot forget Bull 
Run and — [Eater orderly l. 1 e.) 

Orderly. Difjpatch sir, from Gen. Wright. {Ex orderly.) 

Oen. {Reading.) Head Quarters near Snickers Gap, Va. 
Geu'l Clay Vincent. — Go out to the right with your brigade 
assupports to the 1st, your division, Wright, Major Gen. 

Oen. {To Thad.) Colonel, order assembly. In fifteen min- 
utes we'll be on the way. {Ex. Thad l. assembly sounds, 
Oen. buckles ore sword, Ex. l. 1 e.) 

Scene HI. — Interior Tmtnsion, parlor in 2, chmrs, table. 
Enter Gen. Vincent. 

Oen. Ben! Ben! 

Ben. {Outside.) I'se cummin massa Gineral. {Enter 
Ben r. 1 e. Haversack, canteen, iiuss kit. ) 

Oen. Now Ben, skirmish around and see what you can 
git for supper, I um very hungry. 

Ben. All right, uiass.i Gineral, all right. [Ex. u. 1 e. 
singing. ) 

Oen. Happy faithful Ben. Well. I declare here are 
head quarters all arranged, and a mighty comfortable place 
after a hard days light I wonder where the old reb is that 
owns the place. {Knock left.) Come in. {Enter <,'ol, 
TiiAD AND Major Wigand l 1 e. salutes.) 

yiaj. W. What orders General? 

Oen. Are the troups all in camp? 

Maj. W. Yes sir. 

Oen. Plenty of wood and water? 

Maj. W. Yes General. 

Oen. How about foraore? 



36. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Maj. W. Very little on hand. 

G^;^. How is that? I saw plenty at that white house 
with a lars^e porch in front, we passed just after the battle 
of Fisher s . mountain. (Eises. ) 

Maj. W. I believe the quarter master didn't get any 
there. 

Gen. Why? Who liyes there? Any one with a safe 
guard. 

Maj. W. X young lady lives there with the l)est safe 
guard in the world, a beautiful face, at least so I am toki^ 

G«?i. Ah, I see. And her beauty stands sentinel over 
her forage. {Enter Capt. Reilly, Q. M. mlutes.) Captain 
has all the forage been secured in the neighborhood?. 

Capt, R. Well sir, I sent Capt. Hublitz to that large 
white house just outside tlic lines, but his wagons came 
back empty. Then I sent Capt. Redpath and he failed, 
and from their account of her splendid treatment, and she 
talked so sweetly I really hadn't the heart to go myself. 

Gen. [meditates.) Captain have your wagons ready at 
seven in the morning. {To Major Wigand ) Major have a 
strong guard to accompany them, and you go with them. 
I shall also go with you. We will see about this forag*; 
business. 

TJiad May I go out with you General? 

Gen. No sir, I don't want any of my handsome slaflf 
officers along when I go foraging, {they all laugh ) Attend 
to your detail Captain, then tell the officers I would be 
happy to have them call at head quarters this evening. 
{E.r. Capt, r. 1 e. Enter Bp:n ii.) 

Ben. Supper am ready massa Gineral. {Enter officers 
L. 1 E.) 

Gen. All right Ben. Come gents, come to supper, you 
see Uncle Ben runs this house now. {Ex. all r.) 

Scene IV. — Parlor in 2, .w/W r. tahle etc. name af< f^cene 2. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 27. 

hoitles and glasses Qen. and officers sit around smoMng, tattoo 
sounds L. a\\ start rq:>. 

Maj, W. There goes tattoo in the cavalry camp. 

Gen. Won't you take a little -'pison" gentlemen before 
you go? (^11 dnnk, tattoo drum outside, all ex. followed 
hy Col. Thad.) 

AW. Good night General. 

Qren. Good niglit gentlemen. {Lying on sofa.) Now for 
a little rest undisturbed, I hope. I wish General Sheridan 
was here. Early has played a desperate game. He expect- 
ed Washington to fall an easy pray to his exultant army 
but Sheridan laid his plans. Grant said "go in" and Ope- 
quan and Fisher's Hill will ever be remembrances that he 
did "go in." We are in fancied security here at Cedar 
Creek, but I reckon we must keep our eyes open for if 
Early sliould be re-enforced he -wWX-- -{Shots lieardA What! 
{Starts up.) is that. Firing on the picket line as I live. 
Ah, well there is no rest for a soldier. (Knock l. 1 e.) 
Come in. {Enter Col. Thad.) 

Col. V Heavy firin.\ general, on the picket line. 

Gen. Yes, I heard the first shot. 

Col. r. Sh-ill r arouse the camp? 

^W'-n. No let the men rest. When we "jet word from 
th«! old 18tli, it will be time enough. Hark! 

Sentry. {OnUide ) Halt, who goes there? 

Or<L Friend with countersign. 

Sen. Advance friend and give the countersign — coun- 
tersign correct. Pass on. {Enter Orderly,) 

Ord. A dispatch sir, from General Wright. {Ex. Ord.) 

Gen. {Opens, reads ) Head Quarter's, Middle Military 
Division, near Cedar Creek, Va., Ootober (7, '64. General : 
General Averill reports unusual activity outside and near 
his line af Videttes. There may be something in the wind. 
I saw a rebel signal flag, this p. m., and deciphered it thus: 
"E^rly to Pegram. Be ready as soon as force I send 



28 SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

reaches you to move on enemy's position and crush him.'' 
Now general. I think this is a ruse, but I must haye 
sure information of their numbers, movements, etc. Can 
you send me the scout you have spoken to me about, I 
beheve from your account of him, his age and nationality 
with his experience in the past, he is particularly fitted for 
this enterprise. Send him to me at once. Yours, Wright, v 
Major General Commanding. To Brig. Gon. Clay Vincent 
Commanding Brigade." 

Gen. F. Colonel, send an orderly for Teddy to come 
here at once. {Ex. Col V.) I should hate to loose Ted, 
but if there is a soldier in this army that can do this job, 
Ted is the man. {Enter Teu.) Sergeant General Wright 
has heard me speak of your services on the Pennisular 
with General McClellan, and he desires your assistance i.i 
secret expedition. You are not obliged to go if you are un- 
willing. 

Ted. Well Gineral, Oi hates to go but if I am the one 
he wants Oi'll do it, but sor wid all the marchin' an' coun- 
ter marchin', an' foightin', for some timcpasht, I am about 
played out. Whin does he want me to go. 

Gen. He wants to see you at headquarters immediately. 

Ted. All roight sor, I'll go. But Clay, if I fail, sec 
to Maggie. She's all Oi've got ye know, since the b'ys got. 
kilt in the wilderness, oad scran to thim ribils. 

Gen. Have no fears about Maggie Ted, Father sees to 
her wants you know; but you will come out all right. 
Your former good luck will attend you. But be careful, 
be discreet my friend, you know the consequences if you 
are suspected and found out. 

Ted. All roight sor, but have ye anything to— 

Oen. Take? Yes Ted. here take a good one, and may 
you soon return. God preserve you and keep you from 
harm. 

Ted. Good bye gineral. 



SHERmAN'S RI1>E. 29i 

Oen. Good bye Ted, good bye, 

(Ted ex. r. Gen. l. ,curtain) 
ACT nil. 

Scene I — Wood 3, Confedm'ate picket post, r. rear e. men 
playing cards, pickets on post watching. Ted heard singing 
outside L. 

Sentry. Halt ! Who goes there ?. (Ted. still sinking). 
Halt ! who goes there ? 

Enter Ted. market basket cowrea. 

Ted. Sor ? Was ye spakin' to me sor ? What's the 
mather wid ye ? {men laugh) Hauld up yer gim! I>on't 
be pintin' at me, she moight go off. {Sentry coines \to <m 
order- Ted. advances.) 

Sentry. Stand where you are old man, till I call the Ser- 
geant. Sergeant of the guard, post No 19. {Entet Ser- 
geant R. 1 e. 

Serqeant. What's the matter Bill? 

Sentry. O, here's an old paddy who is trying to rush his 
way through the lines. 

Sergeant, Where did you come from old man, and 
where are you going ? 

Ted. Well, be the howly shmoker, wher did I cum from 
an' am Oi goiu' ? Will sor, Oi came from across the moun- 
tain beyant, an' Oi'm gomg to Gineral Pagram's Head- 
quarters sor. An' do yes want to know for what and for 
whoy Oi'm goin' there ? 

Sergeant. Yes, I do. 

Ted. Well sor, when yez all crossed Fisher's Mountain, 
the gineral, Gineral Pagram, sthopped at moy house sor, 
an' he axed me had Oi any fresh buther an' heggs, sor, ^an 
Oi tauld him yip, an' Oi got thim fur him an' he paid me 
will fur 'em, and he axed me wud Oi bring some more to 
his camp this wake, an' Oi tauld him yis, an' sor, that is 
where Oi came from an' where Oi'm goin' sor, ov ye plaze. 

Sergeant. That's all right, but have you got a pass, or 



30. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

do you think you can cross an' recross these lines as you 
choose. 

Ted. Did he give me a pass, a pass. X"es, I believe 
thats what he called it, lastewise lie wrote something on a 
paper and give me, said to give to any sintry Oi moight 
see who called fer a pass. 

Sergt. Well let's see your pass. 

Ted. Where in the debil did Oi put it. 

Sergt. Come, come, old man, thats too thhi. You've 
got no pass, 

Ted. Yis sor, Oi do have a pass, sor, but where did Oi 
put the darned thing. 

Sergt. Come, come, you'll have to go with me. 

Ted. Hould on, sor, hould on. Oh here ye are, here is 
me pass, sor. Oi remember, me auld pockets is very how- 
ley, an fer safety Oi put it in me hat. 

Sergt. {Reads.) Fisher's Hill, Va. All guards and pa- 
trols pass Patrick Malone to and from our lines until fur- 
the rorders, as caterer to my table. Pegram, Maj. Gen'l, 
0. S. A. Well he has a pass after all, and its all rightj 
You can go Pat, but take good care of that pass, or you 
will get into trouble. 

Ted. Good mornm', gintlemin. Yez will know mo 
whin yez see me agin. {Ex. r 1 e.) 

Sergeant. Fall in boys, I am ordered by Colonel La- 
Grange to advance thi« line as near the Yankees as possible. 
Forward march. {Ex. l.) 

Scene 11— Close la7uUcape in 1, Enter Capt. Rielley 
and Wagon Master, r. 1 e. 

Capt. R. Is your train all ready ? 

W. M. Yes captain, all ready. 

Capt. R. Is there a strong detail and are they ready ? 
W. M. Yes sir. Major Wigand goes in command. 

{Ex. W. M. R.) 
Enter Gen. Vincent ^n^r? Major Wt«and. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 31. 

Oen. V. Gentleman, you are to go outside our lines, and 
to the right. You must exercise great care and caution. 
There was sharp firing on the picket line last uight. The 
enemy may be stronger than we suspect. I may be out 
there myself before you return. If you have any further 
preparations see to them and leave as soon as possible. 
Ex Major and Capt. r. ex Gen. l.) 

Scene III. — Parlor in hca, mansion 0/ LaGrange table 
and chairs r. e., sofa r., Mollie LaGrange seated at r. of 
table, May Campbell seated on sofa. Enter Col. La- 
Grange and Major Hall, l. 1 e. 

Col. L. Mollie, I know not how to advise you* This 
terrible defeat of Early's leaves the valley almost unpro- 
tected, Sheridan's exultant army is yet in this vicinity 
General Early has a scheme by which he expects to anni- 
hilate the Yankee army, now that Sheridan is absent, and I 
shall be obliged to leave you, I know not for how long. 

Mollie. No matter brother, I am a Southern woman and 
know my duty. 

Col. L. O, Mollie, you don't know the character of 
those Northern Vandals. The torch would be applied be- 
fore you coul'l— {Bugle call outside. ) 

Mollie. Hark what is that ? {All rush to loindmc, enter 
rebel soldier l. door. ) 

Soldier. Fly ! Fly for your lives, the Yankees are close 
upon us! 

Dr. H. Where are thi^y ? 

Soldier. Not half a mile away. 

Col. L. Tell Captain Morgan to hold them in check as 
long as be'can. I'll be there in a moment. {E.v. soldier.) 
Remember vou are a southern woman and give the accur- 
sed Yankees the reception they deserve. 

M.ollie. Have no fears brother, liave no fears. Depend 
upon us. 

Col. L. {goes to doo7')Mj heavens I We are surrounded 



32. SEERIDAN'S RIDE. 

and my men flying. Curse the cowards. We'll be cap- 
tured sure. 

Wollie No, no, go in here. They shall not take you. 
(Col. and Maj. euter side dom\ Col. drops gauntlet.) Now 
May our courage is to be put to the severest test. His life 
depends on us. As you love him be brave. 

May. O, I will try. I will do my best. {Enter Major 
Wig AND at door followed by Capt. Rielley. 

Maj. W. I beg your pardon ladies. I expected to find 
armed men here, not ladies. 

Mollie. I only wish we were men. You would not en- 
ter this room so easily. 

Maj. W. And I prefer you should remain the same 
beautiful ladies you were created. I never could resist an. 
army with such eyes as yours, but ladies were there no 
others here before we came? 

Mollie. Do you suppose a southern gentleman would re- 
mam housed when the enemy's bugle summoned him to 
battle! 

Maj. W. Well that depends on the man, more than the 
section or locality he comes from; but no matter if conceal- 
ed he cannot escape, for my men surrouad the house. 

Mollie. {Haughtily.) We are prisoners then, or do you 
come to fire the house I believe that is a favorite pastime 
with you yankee soldiers. 

Maj. W. No, no, madame, neither. Your sex and your 
home shall be respected. We do not come to make war on 
women, but you have a large amount of forage. Our men 
and animals need it, and I have come to take it. 

Mollie. May I ask your name sir? 

Ma;. W. My name is Wigaud. 

Mollie. Colonel, or General, perhaps. 

Maj. W. Neither, madame, Major, Major John Wigand. 

Mollie. Are you yankee Majors, or others high in rank 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 38. 

so much better thieves than their Quarter masters that they 
go foraging themselves? 

M.aj. W. Well no madame, our Quarter masters have no 
fear of rebel bullets, but your facinations have driven 
them from the field and they report to the General that 
they are incapable of making even a second attempt, I was 
therefore called upon to go. 

MoUie. This attempt sir, to flatter, may be pleasant to 
you, but 'tis distasteful to me. I ask no favors sir, and ex- 
pect none. Take all I have sir, take it all. Go. I am 
powerless to prevent you. 

Maj. W. Madame you are not powerless, and while I 
would denounce our Quarter masters for their weakness, I 
plead guilty myself, nor do I say this for flattery. (To 
Rlelley.) Captain, take that only which our immediate 
necessities require. See that no depredations are commit- 
ted, and let this disagreeable duty be over as soon as possi- 
ble. {Ex. Rielley.) 

Mollie. I am sure I thank you, and I now beg pardon 
for my very unkind words spoken a few moments ago. 
Will you be seated? 

Maj. W. Thank you. {Ooimj cwrofis as if to take a fteat, 
discover 8 glove, picks it up.) 

Jlollie. A-a glove I think. 

^^aj. W. {Holds it up.) Does it belong to either of you? 

Both. {Confused.) No sir 

Maj. W. {8karp)ly.) Certainly not. This is a soldier's 
gauntlet. To whom does it belong? 

MoUie. There was a soldier here a few moments ago, 
just before you came, but he left us sir. 

Maj. W. Very well I'll not distress you. 

Mai/. {Aside to MoUie.) We must do something or we 
are lost. 

Maj. W. I bog pardon Indies. 



34 . SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Mollie. My friend thought perhaps you would take some 
refreshments. Will you have a glass of wine, Major? {Ex. 
May.) 

Maj. W. Oh yes, with pleasure. {Takes seat.) I don't 
wonder madam, our Quarter master failed to take your 
corn and hay, 

MolU.e. And why, pray? 

Maj. W. Wi)y, I am more than half inclined to order 
the wagons to unload, myself. {Enter May icith wine and 
cake.) 

May. Will you have some wine Major? 

Maj. W. {Jo MoUie.) Will yo a jo' a me? 

MoUie. Oh, sir with pleasure, and it's not the first glass 
of wine I have taken with a yankee soldier either. 

Maj. W. {Arises.) Well, ladies I shall be obliged to bid 
you good morning, and rest assured I shall never forget 
this happy meeting. 

MoUie. Major do you like music? 

Maj. W. Oh yes, but its a long time since I've heard a 
lady sing. 

MoUie. What shall I sing? 

M.aj. W. Oh, anything, a rebel song would sound sweet- 
ly no doubt, if sung by you. 

MoUie. {Sings.) You see I am a true rebel, 

Maj. W. Oh, I could forgive all the rebels if tliey were 
as charming as you. 

MoUie. Now that compliment deserves something bet 
ter than a rebel song. 1 used to sing a song long ago, before 
this cruel war made us enemies. I learned it at West 
Point, and I will sing it for you. {Sings; as sJie sings Qen. 
Vincent enters, stops, listens, approacJies slotcly as if recogniz- 
ing voice, joins m song, MoUie faUers, stops, gets up, turns 
astonished.) 

MoUie. Clay Vincent, why my old friend, Lieutenant 
Vincent ? 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 35. 

Maj. W. Why how is this ? 

Gren. V. Yes, I heard the old song we used to sing, and 
O, what recollections crowded into my mind. I knew the 
voice was yours and I could not stay away. Have you no 
word of welcome ? 

Mollie. Why Clay, what welcome can I give you ? 
Would you have me welcome to this house a man who 
comes to take my brother's life, and rob his defenceless 
family. If you respect me sir, how can you ask me such a 
question. 

Gen. V. Mollie, Miss LaGrange, you forget. I am a 
soldier, and under the circumstances my duty is as painful 
to me as it possibly can be to you. {Shouts heard. Bugle 
sounds assembly.) 

Maj W. There goes the assembly. We are attacked. 
{}^ore shouts heard.) Farewell ladies. {Ex door.) 

Gen. V. Mollie, thank heaven I have found you at last. 
May I not see you again. Say that I may return. 

Mollie. {kside.) O, what can I say. {Slwts heard.) You 
will be killed if you stay. Yes, yes, you may come, but go 
now, 

(Jen. V. I will see you again or die in the attempt ! {Ex 
do&r. Col. LaG. a?i(Z Holmes rush iu and all go to loin- 
dow. ) 

Col L. Stand back ! {Opens icitidoio, draics pistol) 
There goes my bitterest enemy. I have sworn tG kill any 
of his family I might meet. Thad Vincent, its my turn 
now. {Presents pistol. Mollie throws up his hand, pistol 
discharged in the air.) Curse you ! I have missed him. But 
it's not yet too late. (Mollie drops on sofa, covers face with 
hands. Sabers clash outside, pistol shots heard.) 

May. {Atjmidow.) O, Mollie, Harry will be killed. He 
has mounted his horse, and— there he goes into the midst 
of the fight. Oh they are fighting. {Mol-lie goes to window.) 



m. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

MoUie. He lias fallen. He has killed my brother, oh 
ray God! Falls on sofa, May goes t& her.) See what they 
have done with him. 

May. {Goes toioindow.) The yankees have gone, and 
they are bringing Harry towards the house. {MolUe arises 
arranges sofa for Harry. Enter Harry assisted by Dr. 
Holmes.) 

Mollie. Oh Harry are you badly wounded? 

Col. L. Yes, {They place him on sofa.) Curse that Yan- 
kee loyer of yours, I trusted to my pistol and missed him, 
and then he sabered me. {May brings bandages, and Dr. 
binds lip his head.) This is the second triumph for the Vin- 
cents, but by heavens, if we meet again he shall die. 

Dr. It is not as severe a wound as I had supposed. He 
struck to kill, but you will be subject to nothing more 
than inconvenience. 

Col. L. Mollie, I must leave you. It will be impossible 
for me to remain here. 'Tia too close to the yankee lines. 

Mollie. Oh brother you can stay at least till you are 
belter. 

Col. L. Yes to be captured by that Yankee lover of 
yours. How nice, how very nice that would be wouldn't 
it now. 

Mollie. Harry LaGrange! 

Col. L. Oh you cant deceive me. You must take me 
for a fool. You love tliat fellow?. 

MoMie. {Firm\y.) Well wlyit if I do? 

Col. L. Do you iiear that Major? Siie confesses it. O 
shame, shame upon you, a southern woman in love with 
an accursed Yankee. 

Dr. Come, come Colonel we must go, tiie Yankees 
may return. 

Col. L. Well I suppose v/e must, but Mollie we must 
have some refreshments before we go. It n^ay be 'he last 
I shall ever take under the old rof)f. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDK 37. 

Map We'll bring it Harry. 

Col. L. Well I reckon you will have to. The damned 
niggers have all run away. {Ex. Mollie and May.) Major 
Mollie loves that fellow, that General you know. They 
were engaged at the outbreak of the war. Curse him, but 
for him we would have captured that wagon train, but I 
have a plan to capture him. 

Maj. H. How? 

Col. L. Send May to me. Keep Mollie away for a time 
and you shall see. {Ex. Major Holmes.) Ha ! ha! there is 
no way half so easy to catch a man a? to bait your hook 
with a woman ; and when a Vincent shall have become my 
prisoner, I'll invent a hundred ways to humiliate him. If 
he should happen to shoot himself accidentally it would 
not be my.fault. It's a long lane that has no turn. I'll get 
eyen with them yet. Just a litt e patience. {Enter May .) 

May. The major says you desire to see me Harry. 

Col. L. i^es, come here May. Do you love the Southern 
cause? 

May. Why how can you ask such a question. 

Col. L. Because a woman's heart is to me strangely in- 
comprehensible. Yesterday, this morning I would have 
risked the fate of the whole Confederacy and slaked my 
life on my sister's loyalty. 

May. And would you now hesitate ? 

Col. L. Yes, I would not be unjust but from this time 
forth she must kuow nothing which if imparted to the ene- 
my would injure our cause. But you. May, you can be 
trusted. 

May. I love the southern cause, and I love you Harry, 
and I would die to serve either. 

Col. L. I rejoice to hear you say so. I believe you, and 
know you can be trusted, but dear girl, I will not ask so 
great a sacrifice, though I am to ask of you a service full 
of importance to me, and t^ir southern cause. 



38. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

^lay. Me ? Why Harry what can I do ? 

Col. L. Much, everything. May, you know this Yankee 
lover of Mollie's. 

Mrt^. Yes. I've lieard lier speak of him a thousand 
times. 

Col. L. You have heard of his exploits and the injury 
he and his chief Phil Sheridan, have inflicted on our peo- 
ple. 

'^\ay. Yes, the negroes are continually talking about 
them. 

Col. L. This General Vincent must be captured and it 
is in your power to do it. 

May. What, I Harry ! 

Col. L. Yes you. Now listen. When I have gone sug- 
gest to Mollie that she invite him here to dine. 

Ma?/. O, she will never do that. 

Col. L. Then you do it. Stop. I'll tell you what is bet- 
ter. You write to that major, what's his name ? 

M«?/. Wigand, Major Wigand. 

Col. L. Yes, Wigand. You write to him, stating that vou 
wish to see him in regard to protecting property — any 
thing. 

May. But suppose — 

Col. L. Never fear, he will come, and Vincent also, then 
inform me, and with sufficient force I v»'iil dash down upon 
the house, kill or disperse his escort and his capture is 
certain. 

May. O, Harry, Mollie would hale me forever. 

Col L. What, do you refuse ? 

May. No, no, Harry, but that would be so dishonor- 
able, so treacherous. 

Gol. L. May, any strategem is fair in war, and we are 
justified in using any means to crush an enemy like that 
with which we are contending. Step b}' step we have been 
driven back, and now, most lively we must leave the val- 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 89. 

ley entirely. Long have we seen the sad spectacle of roads 
filled with helpless people. Old age and infancy, hand in 
hand, fleeing before the ruthless invaders. For weelss you 
have seen the heavens grow black Yfiih smoke ascending 
from southern homes now laid in ashes. Their sabers have 
grown red with the blood of those who v/ould defend their 
hearth stones against overwhelming odds, and you, with 
your own eyes, iiot an hour since, saw me struck down by 
this accursed Yankee; heard the dying groans of our peo- 
ple, as his minions trampled them in. the dust; and yet you 
would not do this ? Not raise your linger against such a ioe? 

May. Say no more. To prove my devotion 111 do it, I'll 
do all you ask, even more. 

Col. L. Hush darling, here they come. Not a word 
to Moilie, Send your letter through the Yankee picket 
line and leave the rest to me -hush ! 
Enter Mollie. 

Moilie. Lunch is ready gentlemen---What, alone? 
Where's the doctor ? 

Co]. L. He will be here in a moment. 
Enter Major. 

MoWie. Come major, lunch is ready. 

Co\. L. May and I will follow in a moment. {E.i\ Ma- 
jor and MoLiiTE.) Now remember not a word to Mollie. 

May. Not a word Harry. {Ex. both ) 

Contraband. {Looks in ii. 1 e.) O, no massa, not a 
word, O no, not a word to nobody. {Dodges back.) 

Scene IV. — Wood 3, Bebel picket post again. Entet Ted. 

led. Hello b'ys, Oi tauld yes, Oi'dsee yes agin. 

Soldier AYeil sure enough you are here again ain't you. 
Have you a pass to go out ? {Aside to men.) We'll have 
some fun with the old duffer, {'lo Ted ) You must have 
a pass to go both ways. 



40. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Ted. Well be the sailor ! Why didn't tell ye me when Oi 
was here firsht. Now Oi'll have to go back to the gineral 
agin. 

Enter LaGrange. 

Co\. L. Hello here ! How is this? Where are you go- 
ing old man ? 

Ted. What wuz ye sayin' sor ? 

Col. L. Where are you going ? 

Ted. It's goin' home Oi am if Oi'd be let sor. 

Co\. L. Where is your home ? 

Ted. Sor ? 

Col. L. Where is your home, where do you live ? 

Ted. O whay over foruinst the mountain. 

Col. L. What mountain ? 

Ted. Why sure, ye aught to be afther knowing. Didn't 
yez all pass roight pasht me house t'other day and Gineral 
Pagram hot some buther an' hegs ov me, an' Oi brung him 
some more to-day. 

Col. L. {Sees Ted's /«ce.) Look up here sir ! You lie ! 
I know you now. Do you see this bandage around my 
head ? That covers a wound given me by a Vincent. Had 
I not had that matter very fresh in my mind I probably 
should not have remembered and recognized you. You 
are a neighbor of the Vincents, I saw you frequently 
when I was North. Shut up you Irish dog. Your name 
is Ted, Ted Hoolihan, and sir, Vincent has sent you out 
here as a spy. What have you to say for yourself ? 

Ted. Say sor ? What have Oi got to say ? Nuthin' 
sor ! Only ye are mishtakin' sor. Oi'm a dacint Oirish 
gintlemin sor. An' sor, Oi live on the mountain bey ant. 
sor, as 0» hev tauld ye sor, an' that is the liowly all ov it^ 
sor. 

Co.\ L. {mockingly.) Thin why didn't ye say so, before 
sor. 

Ted. Oi did sor, Oi did say so. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 41. 

Col. L. Stop sir, don't you move a step. Here men tie 
tliis old duffer to that tree. You can shoot a mark for a 
while, first one hand then the other, then trim his ears. 
When we get him pretty well trimmed I'll send him back to * 
Vincent. Send for a rope Sergeant. {Holds I'ed, Ex. sol- 
dier. Enter icith ro2)e.) 

Ted. Hould sor! Colonel LaGrange as fer as I am con- 
cerned, ye can can hang and be damned, I served in the 
war ov 1812, and Oi am now in my fourth year in this 
war. Oi am now 62 years auld, and my race is nearly 
run. Oi will only be one more martyr for freedom. Ye 
say Oi am a spy, allow me to say that Gineral Wright has 
by this time received information of Early's orders far an 
attack in the morning. 

Col. L. Shut up you old rascal. Sergeant tie his hands 
securely behind his back, and string him up on that oak 
yonder. {Bus. ) 

Ted. No ye dont, ye son ov the devil. The fiursht one 
av yes movin dies. I'll have ye to know who ye have 
here, me name is Hoolihan. {Tableaux^ curtain.) 

Scene \.— Chamber in 2, table c, bottle tindeimeath. Gen 
at table icHting. Voice at left, Halt! Order arms! Place 
rest! Enter Major Colder l. 

Gen. V. Well Major what news from the front? 

^laj. C. All Quiet. Yet I would reccomend a stronger 
force at the lower bridge, for since the attack yesterday, 
the enemy appears to be very uneasy near that point. 

Gen. V. You 'go out with the relief? 

3Iaj. C. Yes sir. 

Gen. V. Well be vigilant, I will increase the force un- 
der your command in the morning. 

Maj. C. Here is a letter General, sent through the lines 
this morning for Major Wigand. {Ec. Colder, Enter 
Wi^and L.) 



42. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Gen. V. Here is a letter for you sir, sent through the 
lines this morning. 

Maj. W. {Opens it.) Hello what is this? From a woman 
as I liye. 

Gen. V. Let me see it 

Maj. W. No, if you please I'll read it first. (Reads.) 
AYood Lawn, Oct. 18th 18G7. Major John Wigand.— 
Major: The unfortunate occurence of yesterday, and the 
precarious position in which two helplesjs women find 
themselves at this trying liour, induce us to ask of you 
some protection and assistance. Perhaps it would be best 
for us to abandon our home and go farther south, beyond 
the dangers that nbw threaten us. I blush to ask a favor 
of an enemy, but our own people ;ire i)owerloss to aid us. 
Yours Very Respectfully, May CampbelJ. 

Oh yes, of course. Move south, two helpless females. 
Yes and hopes the General will come too, (Writes on en- 
wlope, reads.) Respecltully referred to General Vincent. 

Gen. Oh that's all right Major, we will go and see 
them. Order an escort to report here in half an hour, we 
must not be caught napping, for as Serg't Floolihan says 
we can't tell who to trust nowday^. [E.V: Wigand.) 
Orderly! (^/i/^r Orderly r ) Orderly, deliver these dis- 
patches to General Wright's Adj't General. (Ex. Orderly 
R.) Sentry! 

Sentry. (Outside.) Here sir. 

Gen. Say to any one who calls that I have gone to the 
front. Will be back in an hour or so. (Ex. General l. 1. 
E. Enter Ted r. 1. e. 

Ted. Well be herrins whin Oi had so much fur to tell 
the Gineral he aint here. (Calls sentry.) 

Sentry. Yes sir. 

Ted. AVhere is the Gineral? 

Sentry. Gone out to the front feu- an hour or so. He'll 
be back soon. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 43. 

Ted. Will thin, Oi moight as well take it aisy fur a 
while. Oi have reported to the Gineral the mformation 
Oi got any how, and Oi guess Oi'll take kommand till the 
Gineral gets back. Well Oi guess Oi've found out a thing 
or two that will make a commotion hereabouts, and prety 
soon too. Well Oi'me Kommander m Chief now. Oi won- 
der what Mrs. Hoolihan wud say if she could see me now. 
nothing like war to mal^e a man ov a fella. O whin Oi get 
home agin wont Oi make the auld Squire open his eyes. 
Oi'll preside at the meetins myself. Oi wonder if they'll 
be afther kecpin their word, whin they said they couldn't 
do too much fur us if we re-enlesht. Be the shmoker if 
ther do 'twill be more'n they did in 1812, but if they do 
Oi'll go l!0 Kongris shure, so Oi will. {Voice outdde, Tell 
the General and see what he says.) Now Oi'll have some 
fun. {Enter Orderly ) 

Orderly. Hello Sergeant, Where's the General? 

Ted. An what does ye want av the Gineral? Oi'me 
here, an what's more sar, Oi want ye to understand, Oi'me 
in kommand here, and sor take off that hat. 

Orderly. Oh Ted, come off, you're drunk. 

Ted. What tlie yer sayin' ? Be kind ov careful young 
fella, or be Hevrius j-^e'll go in the gaurd hause. 

Orderly. Look here sergeant. I've got no time to fool. 
There's I nigger outside who wants to see the general. 

. Ted. Ain't you going to treat gineral ? There, that's 
the vv'ay to spake to your superiors. Av course Oi'm goin' 
to trate. Hauld on till Oi skirmish around and see what's 
in 1 he commissary. {Ilnndft bottle to orderly, who drmks.) 

Orderly. Well general, what about the nigger. 

Ted. Take off that hat. Let him wait. Oi can't be 
bothered with nagers. Oi'm bizzy study in' out the cam- 
paign. {Brinks) And Oi musht have me mind clare. 

Orderly. {Drinks. Salutes hmahly.) When do we move 



44. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

general ? Here's hoping you will be a major general in 
less than six weeks. {Drinks again ) 

Ted. All roight sor, all roiglit. 

Struggle lieard out l. Enter Negro. 

Negro, {lo orderly.) Are you de captain, massa. 

Ted. Don't you see me nager, what do ye want. 

Negro. Massa, who is de ginral wat had de flte yesterdy 
at plantation ? 

Ted. Well ho ain't here. What do ye want, 

Negro. Is dey gone massa. 

Ted. Gone where ? 

Negro. Gone ober to de ])lantation. If dey has dey'U 
perish sho. Dey's betrayed massa, dey's betrayed. 

Ted. What in the divil does ye mane, ye black raskil ? ' 

Negro. 1 dunno massa, I dunno 'zactly; but dey '11 bofc 
be killed if dey's gone. Send somebody foah do lub of de 
Lawd, send to bring dem back. It's all a trick an' mai-sa 
LaGrange gwine to wait wid his sojers to catch 'em. 

Ted. I wunder if this nager is lyin'. Sinthry where is 
the gineral ? 

Sentry. He said he was going out to the front and would 
be be back in an hour or so. 

led. I guess ye are lying to me nager. 

Negro. .No, no massa, I' done tole you do trnfc, an' 
somebody '11 be sorry for dis, 

Ted. What's that sor? What's that ye are saying? 
Nager did ye ever see the inside of a guard liouse? 

Negro. No, massa. 

led. Well be gollies ye will now thin. Take him to 
the guard house. {Ex. Ben and Orderly J..) Oi'll larne 'em 
to lie to me whin Oi'me in kommand. {Enter Orderly 
laughing.) 

Orderly. Oh heavens Ted, you ought to -- 

Ted. Dont you call me Ted, Take off your hat. sor. 
How many times must Oi tell you. Oi'me going to have 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 45. 

disciplin here. Now Orderly Oi dont want to be hard on 
you but— {Enter Col. Vincent l. 1. e. 

Col. V. Orderly, where is the General? (Sees Ted, sJtaJces 
Ms Mnd.) Why Sergeant, old friend, you here? When 
did you return? 

led. Only a few minutes ago. 

Col V. Where is the General? 

Ted. Oi dono sor, only he left word he was goin out to 
the front, an wud be back sune. 

Col. V. Any one been here since you come? 

Ted. Yis sor, a lying nager mid a story, sed the General 
an some one else had gone to a plantation an they'd be 
tuck. 

Col. V. What? whats that you say? where is that negro. 
Bring him here instantly. {Ex. Ted ciTid Orderly r. 1, e.) 
What can this mean. By heavens I fear some treachery. 
{Enter Ted and Orderly, tcith Negro.) Uncle what is this 
story I hear. 

Negro. Lawd bless you massa, I tell de truf. 1 heard 
massa make plan wid Miss May an dey'd be killed sho. 

Col. V. Sergeant, through your love of fun, or your 
stupidity, my brother will be Rilled or captured. Quick! 
No time is to be lost. Order boots and saddles. Orderly 
saddle my horse. See that my revolvers are ready. Quick. 
{Ex. all L. Clofie landacaite in 1.) 

Scene|6, — Lanascajye in 1. Enter Col. LaGrange and 
Maj. Hall. 

Col. L. Well Major we have not waited in vain, May in- 
forms me that the Yankees caught at my bait. {To r. ) 
Be ready men. Wait till I giyc the signal then down on 
them. Ha! ha! ha! 

Maj. Colonel, is this honorable warfare ? 

Co\. L. Do you suppose I would leave auv means un- 
employed to capture a Vincent ? 

Mdj. Any nutans colonel ? 



46. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Col. L. Yes, any. 

yiaj. Have you considered the result if you fail ? 

Col. L. But I say I shall not fail, 

M«j. Don't be too sure colonel, don't be too sure. 
These Yankees are aware of the risks to which they are 
exposed. They are no fool?. 

Col. L. Well I'll try it any way. 

Mrtj. Y"ou are the commanding officer, and can, of 
course do as you choose; but mark ray words, if you fail 
and this trick is discovered, your house will be burned and 
Mollie and May will be obliged to go to the Y^'ankee gener- 
al for protection, and you may lose your life. 

Col. L. Do you suppose you can frighlen me from my 
purpose ? I tell you the prize is within ray reach, and I 
have but to grasp it. If you are afraid vou are excused 
from going. 

Maj. Colonel ray duty as surgeon calls rae wherever my 
services are required. It's not for me to approve or disap- 
prove, but to save lives if possible. I shall go but the re 
sponsibility rests entirely upon yourself. 

Col. L. Well let it sir, I do not wish to shirk the re- 
sponsibility. 

Enter Rebel Soldier, k 

Soldier. Colonel, a half dozen Yankees have just ridden 
up towards your house. 

Col. L. All right, they have come. Now be ready. 

Soldier. Shall we shoot them ? 

Ool. L. Kill the men if you are obliged, but take the 
officers prisoners, for I want them. Where are the men ? 

Soldier. They are concealed sir, in the grove. 

Ool. L. Now gentlemen, if you want to see me bag a 
Yankee general follow me. {Ex ii.) 

Scene VII. — Parlor in 2, table n. c, ^ofa k., Mollie seat- 
ed at table, May looking owt loindow l. 

Mollie. May you have been standmg at that window for 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 47. 

the past hour. Whom are you expecting. Have you any 
idea Harry will visit us again ? 

^ay. no Mollie, I am a little nervous, that's all. 

Mollie. Why May, what is the matter. 

May. Well I have been thinking of the battle yesterday, 
and tremble lest it be repeated. Your friend is sure to re- 
turn. Your brother will watch the house, and if he comes 

Mollie. Do you think he will be so foolish ? 

M^*^. I know he will — That is — Well, why shouldn't 
he. 

Mollie. O, I hope he will not be so rash. 

M^^^'- {Going to window.) There comes some horsemen 
no«\-. 

Mollie. Where ! Which way ! It is, it's General Vin- 
cent. O, why has he come here. What shall we do ? 

yiay. Receive him. Do the best we can. 
Enter Gen. Vincent door c. or l. 

Gen. V. Good afternoon ladies, you sec I have returned. 

Mollie. 0, why have you been so reckless. Wiiy take 
so much pains to be captured, perhaps killed. 

Gen. Do you think when you bade me come the fear 
of any loe would prevent me ? 

Mollie. I bid you come ? I never mvited you. 

Gen. What ? Read that. 

Mollie. I knew nothing of this. Clay, you are betrayed. 

May l-ampbell, this is your work. Speak! Have you 
done this. 

Ma?/. Oh ! Yes. 

Enter orderly vt door. 

Ord. General we are surrounded, wiiat shall we do ? 

Gen. Do ? Fight man, thats what we'll do. {Draioing 
sirord..) Bolt the door. {Ord. bolts door.) 

C"ol L {Ontdde.) Open this door and surrender. 

tuni. V. 'Tisonly bolted sir. You know the fasten- 



48. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

ings, and the first man that enters this room dies. Stand 
fast, this firing will alarm our pickets, and they will be 
here in ten minutes. 

Col. L. Break down the door. 

MolUe.O, Clay, you will be killed, what shall we do. 

Gen. V. Stand aside and let them come. 
Door, gives away and LaGrange and 2 soldiers enie7\ Sar- 
geant fires, reb. soldiers faU, sergeant fa\\% l. Other rebs. out 
side give back. ) 

Col. L. Forward cowards. Come on ! {Enter 2 soldiers 
hut stand to -L. , Jj^QvSiXigQ rushes on Vincent. They fight. 
LaGrange has the best of it. Clash of bayonets o^Uside.) 

Ted. {Outside.) Give it to 'em b'ys slhrike 'em down. 
Lave them know who we have here Me name id Hoolihan 
and we're here. {Enter Ted leitJi three men, two capture 
rebs. Ted advances on LaGrange. 

Oen. V. Stand back Sergeant, I'll deal with this traitor, 
and I ask,no advantage. (LaGrange rushes at Ylnceut, who 
disarms him. Mollie runs between them.) 

Mollie. Oh spare him Clay, he is my brother, and all I 
have left of our family. 

Gen. V. For your sake Mollie, I will. (To LaG ) Sir, 
your life is spared, though justly forfeited by this j)iece of 
cunning treachery. That your life is spared thank your 
sister. 

Col. L. Strike, sir, strike. I would scorn to seek the 
protection of a woman, and I ask no quarter. {Enter Col. 
Thad and contraband. Major Wigand tcith Major Holmes, 
Ex. Ted.) 

Co\. Thad. Broiher, General, you are safe. We are 
just in time, but you owe your liberty, your life perhaps, 
to this faithful negro. 

Col. L. Curse the infernal niggers. 

Negro. Cuss away, mnsso, cuss away. Twont do no 
good, no how. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 49. 

Co\. Th-Ail. Harry LaGraDge who is responsible for the 
death of this gallant soldier, and there 'your own men. 
You planned this treachery? 

Col. L. I am a prisoner sir, and answer no questions. 

Col. Tlmd. Very well sir, a drumhead court martial 
will settle the question. Ladies what part did you bear in 
the transaction? 

Ma^. TF". I beg of you Colonel leave that to me. I know 
all. Wait until we return to camp where I will explain all. 
{Enter Ted at door. ) 

Ted. Giueral, a ril)il sojer out side, dyin of his wounds 
says he has valuable infermashion fer ye, an wants to see 
ye sar, 

Qen. V. Bring him in. {He is hrongid in and laid on 
sofa.) Well sir, who are you, and what have you to say? 

Col. L. {Amle.) Pegrara's orderly. Great heavens if 
he should betray us. flow came he here in this fight. 

Soldier, {lo Clay.) I am private orderly to General 
Pegram. I came an hour since to bring orders to Colonel 
LaGrange. General Early has been largely reinforced, and 
has (U'dered an attack all along the lines at day break to- 
inoiTOw. 

Ted. I towld Giueral Wright all about this sor, before I 
returned to camp. 

Col. Thad. Well, and why in heavens name didn't j-ou 
speaii about it then. 

'Ted. Begin yer pardon Colonel, Dut ye ought ter know 
Oi was in the sacret sarvice, and Oi am supposed to know 
my business, sor. 

Holdier. Let me finish sir. And he ordered Col. La- 
Grange to work around your flank and rear with his bri- 
g?vde. 

Col. L. Curse you. [Starts tiucard.^ soldier.) 

I'cd N(^ vc don't sor. 



50. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Gen. V. {Steps uj).) Stand back sir. Sergeant attend 
to this fellow. (Ted and Negro take him outside.) 

Soldier. Yes General I am a northern man. {Speaks icitJi 
difficulty.) I was south at the outbreak of the war. Was 
pressed into service. Want to make all reparation in my 
power. Early thinks with Sheridan away he can annihi- 
late your army. 

Ge?i. V. Soldier, on your life is this true? On my dy- 
ing breath, 'lis true. He is even now-no-n — {Dies.) 

Gen. V. Take him away. {Removed by tJie soldiers.) We 
have no time to lose. Col. Vincent ride at once to camp, 
telegraph to — 

Col. V. The telegraph has been useless for two hours. 

Ge?i. V. Then mount your best horse and ride to Win- 
chester. Wright has undoubtedly sent, but your black 
can beat them all. Send word of situation to General 
Sheridan at Washington. 

Col. V. Adieu ladies.- {Ex. Thad a,>id Wigand door.) 

Qen. V. Sergeant remove your prisoner. {Lead,^ him 
to L. of door. Enter Major Wigand in hmle.) 

Maj. W. General, some one has fired the house. 

Gen. V. Who has done this? but never mind the house 
now. 

Uaj. W. But General— 

Gen. V. Yes, yes, I know all about what worries you. 
But go attend to your duties. You will find our friends 
(bowing to ladies.) at Head Quarters. {E.v. Wigand.) Mollie 
I have no time now to discover and piuiish the author of 
this outrage. Collect such articles as you may need and 
follow me to conduct you to my head quarters. Thor(^ I 
will afford you every protection. 

Mollie. Thanks general. 

Col. L. You shall not go. 

Mollie. Harrv, I no longer heed your words. Your 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 51. 

acts of treachery have left me without a home, and with- 
out a protector. I am oDliged to go. 

Gen. V. No protector Mollie? Give me that right. 
Can you, will you trust me ? (Takes Tier hand.) 

Mollie. Clay, I will. 

Col. L. O the degradation of this hour ! 

Qen. Ted remove your prisoner at once {Ex. Ted loitli 
LaGrange ) Ladies we must fly or we can not escape 
from this burning building. 

Mollie. O, my beautiful home. {Ex, Omnes door.'\ 

Scene VIII. — Chamber in 2, General Vincent seated at 
table, R. c, Staff standing, enter Orderly l. 1 b.. gives Gen. - 
dispatc?i. 

Gen. V. Listen to this, gentlemen : (Reads.) Head- 
quarters Middle Military Division, Winchester, Va., Oct. 
18th, 1864. Gen : — I have just received information thro' 
our scout that Gen. Early has been re-enforced, and lias 
ordered an attack all along the line, to-morrow morning 
at daybreak. He boasts that without Sheridan's all inspir- 
ing presence our army can be wiped out of existence. Pie- 
pare for the work at hand at once. Issue two days cook- 
ed rations and sixty rounds of amunition to the man. 
Bring into ranks eyery available man that can carry a mus- 
ket. At midnight move out via Old Mill, cross the creek, 
march out to stone wall, where you will delay your force. 
Advance a mile beyond to edge of timber, and wait devel- 
opements. In case you retire hofd the s'lOne wall at all haz- 
ards. Second brigade of your line will take position on 
your left. Keep me advised of your movements. Wright, 
Major-General. (To Calder.) Captain send word to Gen. 
Wright that we will be there. (E.c. Calder.) Major (To 
Wigaud) go to each regiment and notify commanders of 
orders received, and say that the march must be noiseless 
and without lights or fires of any kind. We have no lime 
to spare. Go, and when all is in readiness report to me. 



52. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

[Ex Major n., enter l. 1 e,, Capt. Rieley, Mollie and May. 
Ted m77i LaG range. Ben '^^77/, Major Hall.) Captain, (To 
Reilley.) these ladies have placed themselves under nay 
protection, and as a battle is imminent please see that they 
have a place secure from harm until after the battle. (To 
LaGrange and Major H.) Gentlemen I suppose you -will 
keep your parole ? 

l\\aj. H. I will, general. 

Col L. And I will not. Vincent, you are confronted, 
not by a rebel mob but by Gen. Early's army. You can 
not successfully contend with him, and before to-morrow's 
sun goes down, you will take my place . Sheridan, with 
his matchless magnetism is away and j^oiir army will be 
scattered like chaff. 

Col. T. There will be a heap of dead rebs, first, Col. La 
Grange. 

Qen. V. (To Capt. Reilley) Captain conduct these 
ladies to a place of safety. {Ex Capt. with Ladies, l. 1 e. 
To Major iiolmes) Major I accept your ijarole. (To Ted) 
Sergeant take charge of your prisoner. If he attempts to es 
g pe, shoot him. {Ex, Ted and LaGrange, To Colonel 
Thad) Colonel remain here until I return. I want to ride 
over to the left of our line, I will return before si.x. {Ex. 
Gen. Vincent r.. enUr Wigand l. 

Maj. W. Colonel the several regiments have their ordei- 
and will be ready to move long before the hour appointed 
Enter Ted oni of b/raih, at u. 

Ted. C'ol — Col. Thad — LaGrange has — has escaped 
sor. 

Col. Tluul. What escaped ! How is that ! How did he 
escape. 

Ted Oi — Oi don't know sor. He jist up and run sor. 
I pulled this thing on him but she hung Are and misht 
him sor, and fur that thrick ov his Oi'm as mad as Dick 
Murphy whin lie was goin to be hung. {Enter Calder. ) 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 



Cap'. C. Co'onel, a de&evler from the enemy bas j'-^t 
come 1 jio our lues and reports a heavy force in our in? r 
diate front. Colonel Hatch reports unusual activity a ' 
along the the line. He says the force in our front is com- 
manded by General Pegram. 

Col. T. Send word to Hatch that the v/hole biigade will 
be there before midDiy;ht. (^.^.Calder l., enl".r Go; i Y, r.) 

Gen. V. Send word to Wright that there is a ^ap in our 
left that yhould be filled. General Bid well is half a itiile or 
more farther away to left than he should be. Are the regi 
nients ready to move ? 

Qol. T. Yes all ready, {Ex.) 

Gen. V. Bates, (T» Bugler at l ) Sound the assembly 
We will move out to our position at once. (Both ex. l. 
Tableax, Curtain ) 

ACT Y. 

Scene I — Y/oodd, stonewall front of ^. l., signal officer 
tcorksB,., Col. Th^id on iDorks using field-glass. Shots heard 
off\ Enter orderly, r. 3. e. 

Ord. Colonel, Col. Hatch presents comphmeuts and says 
lie cannot hold his position, and is retirmg slowly. 

Col. V. {Looks thro glass) Ydti, and here they come. 
{iihois heard r Union men retire across stage from n. Col Y. 
forms line rear of works.) 

Signal Officer. Look there Colonel. {Points r. rear.) 

Col. V. Vv'hy a few rebels are commg this 'way. Wliat 
doc'^ it mean ? Ah! I see, a flag of truce. (To Wigand) 
Major go out and .-see what they want. {Ex Major r., 
Moment after enter with Rebel officer blindfolded.) 

Maj. W. Col. Yiuceiit, Major Thompson, of Gen. Pe- 
gram 's sralf. 

Col. V. Well sir, what is your business. 

Thompson. I bring a communication from Gen Pegi. a 
Here it is sir 

Col. Y. (/i.vy'.'.s) To Brigadier Gen. Clay Yincent, com- 



54. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

manding U. S- Troops. Sir: — You are surrounded with 
infantry and artillery in sufficient force to take your posi- 
tion beyond a doubt. I therefore to avoid an unnecessary 
effusion of blood, demand an unconditional surrender of 
your command. I give you five minutes to consider. Pe- 
gram, Commanding C. S forces." Go back sir and say 
to Gen. Pegram, that we do not ask one moment's delay, 
and that we are ready for an unnecessary effusion of blood 
as soon as he chooses to commence it. Go sir. {Ex. Wig- 
und and Thompson 

Signal 0. Colonel, to the left and not a mile away comes 
a party of horsemen. .\ party of rebs appear to be trying 
to cut them off. Col. V. mounts icorks ■with glass. 

Col. V. Great Hea'vens ! 'Tis the general and escort. 
They'll be killed or captured sure. Woe to Clay if he 
falls into the hands of Harry LaGrange. 

'led. Leave me go out kernel and help him. 

Go\. V. No. No man can leave the works and yon can 
do no good. See there Ihey come. He can not avoid 
them. They must cut their way through. O, if I could 
only help them. 

Signal 0. They have formed a line in his front. 

Col. V. Yes, and by heavens I he has charged thro them ! 
Gallant fellow! [cheers. Enter- Gen. V. ii. 1 e.] W<;11 
done, my gallant brother, well done. 

Oe7i. V. Yes colonel, I certainly had a close call. 
'Twa? Harry LaGrange that crossed our way. I'll meet 
liim again. Boys, Sheridan is now on the way from Win- 
chester, and will be here in — [Loud cheers for Slifr/dan. 
Enter Mollie and May l. 2 b., followed bg Ben. 

Mollie. Thank God Clay you sre safe. I saw it all from 
yonder rocks, my brave, my gallant General. But was it 
my brother who opposed you ? 

Oen. V. Yes Mollie it was your brother, but why are 
you liere ? What wall you do. you must not remain here. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 55. 

3foUie. O, we are safe Cla}^ it is only for you I fear. 
Gen. V. MoUie you must go to the rear. Ben, go with 
these ladies, and tell Dr. Hayes to place an ambulance at 
Miss LaGrange's disposal. Now Mollie I beg of you don't 
come here again. I will see you after the battle. {Ex. 
Mollie, May ajid Ben l. Ben returns to line, slwts heard r.) 

Signal Officer. General, the enemy are advancing. 

Oen. V. Steady men. {Rebel yell heard in the distance, 
men shout) Here they come! 

Qen. V. Silence! Let no man speak or fire till I give 
the word. Comrades! there are soldiers here from {Several 
of the northern states.) We surrender or fight as we never 
fought before. I'll not,deceive you, the enemy oul num- 
ber us nearly two to one. We cannot surrender. Then 
let us battle bravely, and God defend the right. {Beb yell 
nearer.) Now men lay for them, {men kneel and chee/r.)- 
Let no man fire till I give tJie word. {Beb yell close at hand, 
reb officers heard outside.). 

Col. L. Steady men, move straight to the front. 

Voice outside. Where are ye Yanks, where are ye. 

Gten. V. Here we are. {Rebs fire. Gen. V. aud men rise.) 
Now boys, fire. 

Col. V. Give it to them. Forward guide left. (As they 
get over the icorks.) Charge. {Charge across out r. shots and 
cheers heard occasionally.) 

Gen. V. {On icorks, looks through glass, distant reb yell ) 
Great God they have turned and are now driving us back. 
(76»Maj. Wigand ) Major bring up the 92nd. (^.c. Maj l.) 

Signal 0. General I notice a signal ofl^cer to our left. 
( Yell Distance.) 

Gen. V. What does he say. 

Signal 0. It's from General Wright. {Calls slawly.) 
The-gap-to-your-left-filled-by-lst— division— 19th- corps- 
Sheridan-onlj-five-miles-away-Wriglit. {CJveers.^ 

Gen. V. Say back: We can not hold our position with- 



56. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

©ut assistance. We hope to hold works ai eto-je wa ). 
{Signah, reb yeW nca..-c.\) 

Col. Y. {EnUr lUAh men from r.) General our amuni- 
tion is Dearly out. 

Gen. V. Save your amuntt on nieu. Fire low and we'll 
whip them yet. Sheridan is near {cheers.) and re-enforce- 
ments nea'fir. {Loud reb yeU at wings.) 

Men. Here they come. Here tho}"- are .igain. {All knee] 
belli nd works.) 

Gen. V. Stciady men. Romemher, ;^ave your amuni- 
tion. {Rebs on stage fire.) Steady fire. {They lise fire. Thi\d 
leaps to tlie front. 

Col. Thad. Charge! \charcje of v.\ 

Qen. V. Captain Ridley, go out to the front and say to 
Col. Vincent to hold his advantage if possible, \jnen as 
soon as off b,. go around to works to advance as reserves. Dur- 
ing this last charge two Yankees and three rcbs faW as dead. 
As Reille}'' goes to front they are carried off" i.. Enter 
Rielley k.] 

Gapt B. General, Colonel Vincent says it will be im- 
possible to hold his position as the enemy out number him 
two to one. 

Gen. V. Go out and tell Col. Vincent to retire slowly. 
Re-enforcements have arrived and when they charge these 
works again we'll make it warm ior them. [^Ex. Uiclley. 
To Major Wigand.] Major has the amunition arrived. 

Maj. W. Yes sir, and is being distributed. 

Gen V. Here come our men, retiring for the last time. 
[Distant reb yell. Enter Co]. Thad and men form near 
iDork'> l\len shxvm as reserves and go back to r. to ratire unilt 
Col. V. To Oakier.] Captain, go out to the right and tell 
Col. Hutch to m;ike this the last charge, 

Cahhr. T'o!. Hatch was shot dead sir^ in the last charge. 

Gen. V. Well then tell Hainhn. 



SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 57. 

• Calder. He is badly wouuded, and so is— [Eebel yel 
clearer. ] 

Ted. They are cummin Gineral, 

Qen. V. [To Calder.] Well then tell the officer in 
command. \_Ex Calder l. To Signal Officer.] Sergeant 
did you observe the officer leading the last charge? 

Signal 0. Yes sir, and here he comes again leading as 
before? 

GfOi. V. Yes, and by the eternal its LaGrange. [To 
Ted.] Sergeant can you pick him off? 

Ted. Be gorra thin Oi'Il thry Gineral. \_87ioots.'\ 

Gen. V. Yes, and you've missed him. 

Ted. Well, be jokers, why didn't Oi bring that auld 
jade of 1813. 

Gen. V. IFell, never mind Ted. Soldiers our ranks are 
becoming thinned, but our hearts are brave. This time 
we advance to win. No more retiring. We— 

Signal 0. General, signals off at our left. 

Gen, V. Well, what do they say ? 

Signal 0. [Calls] Hold-the- fort — We- will- whip- 
them- yet — I- am- with- you- again- P.- H.- Sheridan. 
[ Cheers. Ye] Is close hy. ] 

Gen. V. Here they come! Give them a hot reception, 
boys. No more retreating, our old commander is with us, 
and let us show him that we are worthy to be called his 
soldiers. The fight is more to our left this time and the 
gap is filled by a part of the 18th corps. Our flank is all 
right, {mounts icorks'] And now come on you ragged 
devil, 

Ted. Yis, an be herrins we're here. 

Ben. [Puts Iwad out loing.'] Yas, we'uns am heati. 

ColY. Here they— [^;iter Rebels] Now fire! 

Gen. V, Forward men ! [vis they mount works Grn. V. 
is shot in head. FaWs into Hen's arms. Thad urges men 
forward. ] 



58. SHERIDAN'S RIDE. 

Col. L. Now let all true southern men follow me. 
Ha ! ha! Thad Vincent, it is you is it. You are my pris- 
oner. 

Gol. V. Your prisoner, never! 

li hey fight., Gten. V. revives, \ooks up. 

Gen. V. What rebels on our works! [Fires p\sto\ at 
XaGrange w?io drops sword, places both hands on left side^ 
reels. 

Col. L. Curse you ! [Falls dead ] 

Col. V. Now men, now is our time . Forward. {They 
charge,) See them go. They are thoroughly demoralized. 
{Ex. R. Enter Mollie, May and Doctor Holmes, l. 1 e 
May and Dr. go to LaGrange, Dv . feels of his pulse, drops his 
hand, turns, Ma.y falls on her knees at LiaGrange's head and 
weeps. Mollie as she comes on discovers Clay, qoes to him, 
then to Harry. As May drops, Mollie goes hack to Clay, bends 
over him weeps. Curtain. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 102 460 ^ 



